Like everyone else at the UFC APEX, former middleweight champion Michael Bisping was impressed by Bo Nickal’s second pro win in the DWCS headliner on Tuesday night.
But, the former champ and DWCS commentator expressed his admiration for a healthy dose of skepticism when he signed off on the three time Division I champion to be a UFC title holder. Bisping stated that Nickal was still in the process of obtaining a UFC contract to submit Zachary Borrego’s 62-second submission.
“Listen to Nickal as he chases the money. “Bit of caution, though. Just because you can wrestle, just because you’re doing that on the Contender [Series] doesn’t mean you can come in here and beat the best fighters in the world.
” I’ve had the pleasure of training with some great wrestlers, men almost as skilled as him. But against the fence it’s an entirely different world. Of course, the man’s going to have a sensational career. But slow your roll a little bit, buddy.
” You’re not yet in the developmental contract, but congratulations! That was amazing .”
The DWCS commentary team played up Nickal’s appearance the same as other up-and-comers looking for a title shot on the show. Backstage, however at APEX UFC President Dana White appeared to be settled on Nickal’s next move.
“He is amazing – he has the potential to be a major player in this sport,” White said to DWCS commentator Laura Sanko. “He’s 2-0, so what we’d like to do is offer him another fight in the Contender Series. If he wins that one, we’d like to invite him into the UFC.”
White defended his choice at the post-fight press conference, saying Nickal’s experience warranted another appearance on the Contender Series. Asked why the contract was seemingly on the table in the first place, White pointed to Nickal’s decorated background as the reason he got on the show, but indicated there was no guarantee of a contract.
Nickal, a Dan Hodge Trophy winner, is now 2-0 with two first-round finishes. His transition to MMA came in June under the iKON banner. Jorge Masvidal was his American Top Team partner and he celebrated the win on Tuesday with several UFC champions, as well as former champs, who watched closely.
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