Featured Fight: Bo Nickal vs. Zachary Borrego
As a three-time NCAA Division I National Champion, Bo Nickal is brimming with potential and is one of the most exciting prospects in the sport. Nickal went 120-3 in wrestling at Penn State and went undefeated in his final two years in college. In addition to his elite wrestling credentials, Nickal also boasts high-level grappling experience, including a modified rules match against jiu-jitsu monster Gordon Ryan, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest no-gi grapplers of all time.
Nickal has three MMA fights under his belt – two amateur fights and one professional fight. Nickal went 2-0 in his amateur bouts, winning once by submission and once by knockout. Both amateur fights took place in 2021.
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Nickal’s professional MMA debut was in June 2022, and he had an impressive 33-second knockout where Nickal completely starched his opponent. Nickal’s striking looked explosive in his professional MMA debut, mixing kicks with power punches. Nickal stands southpaw and has a powerful left hand, which will help him against Orthodox fighters, as an Orthodox fighter’s primary defensive shoulder is on the opposite side of a southpaw’s left hand. Nickal also has great power in his right hand despite being a standing southpaw, and his right hand was the final punch that finished his opponent in his professional MMA debut. In his amateur knockout win, it was Nickal’s left hand that finished the fight, and it came against an orthodox opponent, which is notable for Tuesday’s fight.
Nickal’s opponent, Zachary Borrego, is orthodox and has already been brutally knocked out, although that defeat is only included in his amateur record. Officially, Borrego is “undefeated” at 3-0 on his professional record, but has finished twice in amateur fights, both in 2021. Borrego has one loss by knockout and one loss by submission (rear naked choke).
Nickal’s elite wrestling pedigree gives him the ability to dictate where that fight takes place, giving him more room for error. If Nickal decides standing play isn’t working for him, he has the option to grab and put Borrego on the mat where he can work the ground or attempt to pass guard for a submission. And if Nickal decides he wants this to be a gripping matchup, his defensive struggle will allow him to keep the fight going where he can chase another knockout.
Nickal’s great punching power and elite wrestling pedigree make him an excellent candidate to keep this fight on its feet and win by KO/TKO, especially against an opponent who has already been knocked out. The excitement surrounding his future makes Nickal a strong candidate to secure a contract with the UFC provided he takes care of business on Tuesday night.
Choice: Bo Nickal will win by KO/TKO
Dana White’s Contender Series prop bets such as To Win by KO/TKO/DQ will be available on DraftKings Sportsbook on fight day! For all UFC odds, check out the DraftKings Sportsbook UFC page!
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