Bo Nickal Refutes Report, not Fighting June 1

Originally posted on Nittany Sports Now | By Joe Smeltzer | Last updated 4/23/24

During the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials this past weekend in Happy Valley, it was reported that Penn State legend Bo Nickal had his next UFC fight date set for June 1.

The report came courtesy of the Nickal’s would-be opponent, Jacob Malkoun.

“Thanks for Mark Maynard making this fight happen,” Malkoun wrote to Instagram Saturday. “Respect to @nobickal1 and his team for accepting the fight, going to be a good test but I’m ready. Not bad for an IT guy.”

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A post shared by Jacob Malkoun (@jacobmalkoun)

Well, Monday morning, MMA Mania’s Alex Behunin reported that, per Nickal’s management, a fight with Malkoun not only isn’t happening as of now but hasn’t even been discussed.

Malkoun then wrote that Nickal had pulled out of UFC 302 and speculated that Nickal may try to reschedule for UFC 305, which is set for Aug. 18 in Perth.

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A post shared by Jacob Malkoun (@jacobmalkoun)

Nickal wrotr via Instagram that the fight was never discussed, backing up what his management team had said.

“I will not be fighting June 1,” he posted to his story. “This fight was never discussed between the UFC and myself. I am looking to step UP in competition and move forward.”

Nickal added that he hopes to fight again toward the end of summer.

He’s had an eventful spring thus far.

On April 13, Nickal improved to 3-0 in the UFC by beating Cody Brundage with a second-round submission. The next week, he coached Aaron Brooks to Olympic Qualification in the trials.

Bo Nickal, of course, is one of the greatest in Penn State wrestling history, having won three national titles and the 2019 Hodge Trophy. Now, he’s a rising star in another combat sport, MMA.

This article first appeared on Nittany Sports Now and was syndicated with permission.

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