Bo Nickal doesn’t suppose too extremely of Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling abilities.
After six fights and 6 decisive wins contained in the Octagon, Khamzat Chimaev has regarded virtually unstoppable, however three-time NCAA Division I nationwide champion Bo Nickal is much from impressed, suggesting that the Chechen fighter’s wrestling abilities are mid.
“It’s trash,” Nickal stated in an interview with Conflict of Fight. “I wouldn’t even say mid-(stage).”
Nickal, who additionally boasts an undefeated file in blended martial arts, has referred to as out Chimaev on a number of events making their potential conflict seemingly inevitable.
“On the finish of the day, I really feel like I can say no matter about his wrestling abilities, his preventing abilities, this and that, we’re going to combat in some unspecified time in the future and folks will notice there’s ranges,” Nickal stated. “It’s simply so humorous, you go right into a world of MMA the place there’s no different sport the place individuals know much less and suppose they know extra” (h/t MMA Junkie).
Bo Nickal Curious to See How Khamzat Chimaev Appears In opposition to at Prime-Ten Middleweight
On October 21, Chimaev will make his first look contained in the Octagon in additional than a 12 months as he’s set to sq. off with one-time UFC title challenger Paulo Costa. Talking in regards to the high-profile conflict in Abu Dhabi, Bo Nickal believes Chimaev will come out on prime, however believes the undefeated Chechen monster might face a tougher-than-expected process transferring up from welterweight to middleweight.
“I feel it’s going to be a very good combat,” Nickal stated. “In all probability – I feel he most likely will. It’s undoubtedly a unique ball recreation while you go from 170 to 185. We’re speaking a few completely different measurement human being.”
Bo Nickal additionally urged that Chimaev’s potential to make 170 kilos is a tell-tale signal that ‘Borz’ would stand no probability in opposition to the sizeable middleweight that Nickal is. Nonetheless, Nickal is trying ahead to seeing what Chimaev can do in opposition to somebody as formidable as Paulo Costa at UFC 294 this fall.
“We’ll see how he does,” Nickal continued. “He’s clearly a giant ’70, but it surely’s a unique measurement human, and to me, anyone who could make 170, none of these dudes are going to be aggressive with me. Costa is a unique story, I’m going to observe the combat, so we’ll see how he does.”