Ex-Penn State wrestling star learns opponent for next UFC bout

Bo Nickal will look to continue his meteoric rise in MMA when he steps into the octagon for UFC 309 this fall. After announcing his participation in the event earlier this summer, the former Penn State wrestling superstar learned this week that he will face Scotland’s Paul Craig in Madison Square Garden just before Thanksgiving. The two fighters will face off as a featured middleweight matchup on what should be an exciting card.

The UFC officially revealed the fight card on Tuesday afternoon. Bo Nickal will enter UFC 309 hoping to keep his perfect 6-0 record intact after defeating Cody Brundage via second-round submission at UFC 300 in April.

Bringing more action to @TheGarden 🍎#UFC309 is shaping up nicely 👀 pic.twitter.com/Q6Ig8ET97N

— UFC (@ufc) September 17, 2024

Paul Craig enters with a 17-8-1 record, knocking off several top fighters in his career. He holds a TKO victory over former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill and a submission over No. 2 ranked heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev.

The matchup appears to be another step up in competition for Nickal, who has been elevating through the UFC circuit since first appearing on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022.

UFC 309 will begin at 10 p.m. on November 16.

Nickal’s success thrusts Penn State wrestling into the spotlight

Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The incredible success that Bo Nickal experienced at Penn State under Cael Sanderson has quickly translated to the UFC, as the former Nittany Lion has become one of the best grapplers in the octagon. The majority of Nickal’s wins have come via submission.

In return, the constant publicity Nickal receives with each victory helps to keep Sanderson and Penn State wrestling in the national news. Nearly every article written about Nickal since his MMA career began included mention of his three National Championships and numerous other accomplishments as a Nittany Lion.

The more Bo Nickal wins, the more second-hand benefits Penn State wrestling may experience down the road. While the number of spots at the senior level for freestyle wrestling is limited, Nickal’s successive transition to the MMA has opened a whole new door to a generation of young wrestlers.

Bo Nickal has now established an MMA gym right in Centre County, allowing current Penn State wrestlers like superstar Carter Starocci to begin training for a potential UFC career while still in college. This move could help fast-track Starocci and others to the octagon once they exhaust their college eligibility.

Ultimately, it isn’t like Cael Sanderson needs another selling point for Penn State wrestling. The Nittany Lions will be heavy favorites to win their fourth straight National Championship, which would be the program’s 12th title in the past 14 seasons. However, a springboard to one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States certainly won’t hurt Sanderson and the Nittany Lions on the recruiting trail.

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