Bo Nickal, a prominent figure in the combat sports arena, has withdrawn from his highly anticipated match against Yoel Romero at the Real American Freestyle (RAF) 4 event. Nickal, known for his accomplishments in both wrestling and mixed martial arts, was expected to compete for the interim middleweight title. In his absence, 33-year-old Pat Downey, an experienced NCAA wrestler and former Bellator competitor, will step in to take on Romero, also known as the “Soldier of God.”
The decision to introduce an interim title despite Nickal’s announced return for RAF 5 on January 10 in Sunrise has raised questions about the promotion’s strategy. The rationale behind this move has not been clarified by Nickal, who has not publicly commented on the change to his fight schedule.
Downey has a competitive history with Nickal, having faced him twice in freestyle wrestling competitions in 2017 and 2021, both resulting in losses. Nonetheless, he remains active in the wrestling circuit, recently showcasing his skills by defeating former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman at Fury Pro 13 last May.
Fans can catch the RAF 4 card, streaming live on FOX Nation on December 20 in Indianapolis, where the updated lineup promises an exciting night of combat sports. The move to FOX Nation, which has a diverse range of programming, may bring more attention to the event, although some viewers might find the service’s promotional content unexpected, highlighting a unique docudrama that reveals Jesus’s narrative within a “Game of Thrones” context.