UFC debut.
On the main card.
Bo Nickal didn't disappoint.
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The 27-year-old kept his unbeaten record in tact, securing an impressive submission victory over Jamie Pickett.
Despite being a relative newcomer on the scene, Nickal is arguably one of the UFC's hottest prospect ā and he showed just why.
In less than two minutes of the very first round, he effortlessly dismantled Pickett and put the rest of the middleweight division on notice.
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Showing elite grappling, the three-time NCAA Division 1 wrestling champion well and truly man-handled Pickett and took him to the ground with ease.
From there, he wrapped his opponent up like a boa constrictor and made him tap out thanks to an arm triangle.
Pickett did well to hold on for as long as he did, but there was simply no escaping Nickal's grip.
Only 18 months into the mixed martial arts game and he already looks like a champion in waiting.
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Speaking to Joe Rogan after the bout, he promised he'd be ranked as the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet by the time he retires.
āI feel at home,ā Nickal said afterwards. āIāve been training my whole like for this. I train every day so I can come out here and dominate and thatās what I did. Iām just going to keep getting better.
āYou better bet your ass Iām getting that belt and Iāll be the pound-for-pound best fighter before my career is done.ā
At this rate, it's hard to argue with him.