Three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion Bo Nickal is trading his singlet for mixed martial arts (MMA) gloves,
Nickal, 25, will make his MMA debut against David Conley (1-0) at Island Fights 69 inside the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Fla. on Fri., Sept. 24, according to MMA Junkie. The middleweight contest will be contested inside of a ring.
Nickal announced his MMA intentions in 2019 and has been training with an American Top Team gym in Pennsylvania, which he helped open with ATT founder Dan Lambert. The Penn State alum was awarded the 2019 Dan Hodge Trophy and named 2019 Big Ten Athlete of the Year. Additionally, he holds two Schalles Awards as the nation’s best pinner and was a finalist at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. His NCAA Division 1 record is 120-3 and he is undefeated dating back to his silver medal placing at the 2016 NCAA Championships.
The standout wrestler trained with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) superstar Jorge Masvidal ahead of the latter’s UFC Welterweight title fights against Kamaru Usman.
Island Fights 69 is headlined by rapper John Gabanna vs. social star Supreme Patty in a sanctioned celebrity boxing match.
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