Bo Nickal, the former Penn State wrestling standout, has been making waves in the middleweight division. He just wrapped up a unanimous decision win over Paul Craig at UFc 309. While a win is a win, the commentary team – featuring Daniel Cormier, Joe Rogan, and Jon Anik – wasn’t exactly throwing a parade for his performance.
DC went a step further and suggested that Nickal wasn’t quite ready for the buzzsaw that is Khamzat Chimaev. Nickal was not too happy with what he heard from the commentary booth during his recent victory at UFC 309.
“And to hear things like ‘DC’ say ‘Oh, he’s not ready for Khamzat.’ I think he was trying to be respectful but also trying to like, I don’t know, maybe like set me done a peg. It was just weird to hear,” said Nickal via The Ariel Helwani Show.
"It was a little disappointing to hear some of those comments from people I respect a lot." – Bo Nickal on the UFC commentary team's criticism during his win over Paul Craig. pic.twitter.com/22psfg9s4N
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 18, 2024
The stats tell an interesting story, though. While Bo Nickal might feel he dominated the fight, the numbers paint a different picture. He barely edged out Craig in significant strikes, winning rounds by the slimmest of margins. Even Dana White suggested that Bo Nickal has got some homework to do before he lives up to those sky-high expectations.
In the end, Nickal’s frustration is understandable. Nobody likes hearing they are not ready for something, especially when they’re undefeated. But maybe, just maybe, this reality check from the commentary team could be exactly what he needs to take his game to the next level.
UFC 309 Crowd Shows Their Displeasure With Bo Nickal’s Performance
Madison Square Garden has seen its fair share of drama over the years. The historic arena has hosted countless iconic moments in combat sports history, from Muhammad Ali to Conor McGregor. But at UFC 309, the famous New York crowd didn’t hold back their feelings about what they just witnessed.
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Bo Nickal found himself in an unexpectedly tough battle with veteran Paul Craig. The MSG crowd started getting restless as the fight dragged on. By the third round, the restlessness turned into full-blown disappointment, and the dreaded “overrated” chants began echoing through the arena.
Despite landing some good shots and hurting Craig in the final moments, Nickal’s performance wasn’t exactly what fans had come to expect from the undefeated prospect. The boos grew louder when the final bell rang, creating an awkward moment during his post-fight interview.
Overrated chants are echoing through MSG after Bo Nickal’s performance #UFC309
— MrDigit (@MrDigit_) November 17, 2024
pic.twitter.com/tM3ZYmz5UI
To his credit, Nickal handled the criticism like a pro, reminding everyone that he’s still early in his career. At least Nickal can take comfort in one thing: he’s in good company. Even legends like Georges St-Pierre faced similar criticism early in their careers.
Also Read: Bo Nickal Shares Details Of His Unique “Deal” With Donald Trump After UFC 309 Victory
