At UFC 309, held at Madison Square Garden on November 16, Penn State wrestling legend and three-time NCAA national champion Bo Nickal continued his undefeated streak by defeating fellow grappler Paul Craig via unanimous decision. This victory marked Nickal’s seventh win in the UFC, although it ended his six-fight finish streak as the match went the full three rounds.
The fight began with a roaring crowd backing Nickal, who entered the octagon as a -1200 favorite. In the opening round, both fighters cautiously gauged one another, resulting in minimal action. Craig landed a few impactful kicks to Nickal’s legs, but the round concluded without any significant damage to either fighter, reflecting a slower start for Nickal compared to his previous bouts.
As the second round progressed, Nickal began to assert himself, throwing accurate punches and kicks despite taking some leg damage in return. The round ended with the fighters seemingly at an impasse, leading to speculation that the unofficial scorecard had them tied at 19-19.
Entering the third round, Nickal faced new territory as he had never fought beyond the second round before. Despite attempts at a takedown, he opted to keep the fight standing. As the round unfolded, the crowd voiced their discontent with the pace of the bout, culminating in Nickal rocking Craig with a strong punch, though he couldn’t capitalize on the advantage. The match concluded with the judges awarding Nickal the victory by unanimous decision.
In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Nickal expressed pride in his performance, stating he felt “fired up and happy” about his fight. Interestingly, he refrained from mentioning potential future opponents, leaving fans eager for what lies ahead.
This fight illustrates Nickal’s ongoing evolution as a fighter. Although he didn’t achieve a finish, his ability to navigate a full three-round fight demonstrates his adaptability and growth inside the octagon. As he continues to build his career in the UFC, fans are excited to see how Nickal will adjust to the challenges he may face down the line.