UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal has addressed suggestions from a former champion regarding a potential move to the welterweight division.
Bo Nickal`s dominant start to his MMA career came to an unexpected end at UFC Des Moines. In a surprising outcome, he suffered his first professional defeat against former two-division ONE champion Reinier de Ridder, who secured a second-round victory with a knee to the liver.
This marked a stunning conclusion to the UFC Des Moines co-main event, where Nickal entered as a modest favorite after starting his UFC tenure with four consecutive wins. Following the fight, the *Dana White’s Contender Series* alum has faced considerable criticism.
In a post-fight interview, Nickal admitted he was aware there was a possibility of being `exposed` at UFC Des Moines. After this first setback, a former champion publicly called for Nickal to consider a significant change for his next fight.
Bo Nickal Addresses Welterweight Move Suggestion After UFC Des Moines
Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, who moved up to featherweight after a loss to Sean O’Malley, questioned Nickal`s suitability for the middleweight division based on his frame. Sterling encouraged Nickal and his team to seriously consider moving down to 170 pounds (welterweight). This suggestion came despite Nickal cutting nearly 40 pounds just days before the UFC Des Moines event.
Nickal has competed exclusively at middleweight throughout his professional MMA career. In his collegiate wrestling career, where he was an NCAA Division I national champion at Penn State before transitioning to MMA in 2022, he competed as low as 174 pounds just once.
Sterling`s comments generated varied responses among MMA fans, with some debating whether a move to welterweight would be beneficial for the highly-touted prospect. After Sterling`s remarks went viral, Nickal quickly provided his response.
Appearing on *The Ariel Helwani Show*, Nickal was asked about Sterling`s comments by journalist Ariel Helwani.
“I can’t make 170,” Nickal stated firmly.
He added, “I’ll be at 185.”
While Nickal seems committed to the middleweight division for now, it`s worth noting that fighters sometimes change their minds about weight class drops later in their careers. Kayla Harrison serves as a recent example, having moved from lightweight down to bantamweight upon signing with the UFC.
Standing at 6’1″, Nickal is slightly shorter than the average height for UFC middleweights and was noticeably shorter than Reinier de Ridder during their fight. Having managed weight since his wrestling days, Nickal appears hesitant to undertake dramatic weight cuts at this stage of his combat sports journey.
Dricus du Plessis `Satisfied` After Bo Nickal`s First Loss
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis shared his perspective on Nickal`s performance at UFC Des Moines. In a recent podcast appearance, du Plessis criticized Nickal for his past confident remarks and expressed little sympathy following the loss, particularly in light of Nickal`s earlier comments about him and the division`s top contenders.
Nickal`s defeat at UFC Des Moines has undoubtedly complicated his path towards the middleweight Top 15. Given Nickal`s previous outspoken confidence regarding du Plessis and the division`s elite, the champion indicated he found satisfaction in witnessing the talented prospect`s struggle and defeat inside the Octagon.
Rupert Hartwell