Undefeated rising star Bo Nickal is set to face veteran grappler Paul Craig in a middleweight clash at UFC 309. It is a key matchup for both fighters as they aim to climb into the top 15 of the middleweight division. As such, UFC veteran Chael Sonnen has a piece of advice for the young wrestler and that is to follow the example of UFC icon Daniel Cormier.
The fight is scheduled for later this year in November. Chael Sonnen recently put out a video on his YouTube channel titled – “Bo Nickal’s Biggest Risk…”. There he warned the young wrestler against underutilising his skill in wrestling and trading punches with his opponent in the octagon. Sonnen gave the example of former UFC champion and two-time Olympian, Daniel Cormier.
I’ll tell you one that didn’t is Daniel Cormier. Daniel Cormier not only never feel in love with his striking, he never got away from his wrestling.
Chael Sonnen on his YouTube channel
Nickal is a former NCAA wrestling champion and has made a strong start in the UFC, with a record of 3-0, all first-round finishes. His grappling-heavy approach has dominated his previous opponents. However, Paul Craig presents a new level of challenge. Craig, known for his exceptional submission skills, has notable wins over top competitors like Jamahal Hill and Shogun Rua.
However, his recent middleweight stint has been inconsistent, including a loss to Caio Borralho. This fight is seen as Nickal’s toughest test yet, as Craig’s dangerous guard could counter Nickal’s wrestling base, making for an intriguing ground battle. The winner could edge closer to middleweight title contention.
Chael Sonnen warns Bo Nickal against attempting to make fights more interesting
Talking about Bo Nickal’s potential tendency to dribble into striking, Chael Sonnen brought up his previous fight with Cody Brundage. They were part of the main card at UFC 300 and although Nickal finished the fight under two rounds, he was not happy.
Chael Sonnen on Bo Nickal (Image via Imago)Chael Sonnen stepped in to make an important point about their fight in the recent video he posted about Nickal. Sonnen pointed out how Nickal had felt the fight was boring and that it had dragged on for longer than he had expected.
You know who else thought it was a really long fight Bo? Cody Brundage who was stuck underneath you… When you’re dominating and wearing him down and you don’t have a drop of blood or scratch on you.
Chael Sonnen continued
Although Nickal initially struggled to keep Brundage on the ground, he eventually secured a dominant position. He ended the first round on top but without much significant damage. In the second round, Nickal found his rhythm, taking Brundage down again. After a few more exchanges, he locked in a rear-naked choke, forcing Brundage to tap at 3:38 of round two.
