Bo Nickal feels that UFC is protecting Khamzat Chimaev from him

Bo Nickal, the emerging force in the MMA scene, recently opened up about his disappointment at not receiving consideration as a replacement to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. With Paulo Costa forced to withdraw due to an elbow infection, the call eventually went to former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

Nickal shared his sentiments on his YouTube channel, expressing, "I was disappointed they didn’t ask me to step in there. I was expecting at least an ask like, ‘Hey, you want to do this?’ But, no. Just nothing. Nothing from the UFC. It is what it is."

Having impressed in his early UFC appearances with quick first-round finishes, Nickal believes his skill set could have posed a challenge for Chimaev. However, he remains pragmatic, recognizing the complex decision-making processes involved in such scenarios.

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Nickal, who sees himself on a future collision course with Chimaev, understands the UFC's strategy of carefully building up the narrative for a potential showdown. Despite the missed opportunity, he remains confident about the trajectory of his career in the promotion.

Reflecting on Usman's sudden entry into the middleweight division, Nickal finds the matchup intriguing but questions the longevity of Usman's stay at 185 pounds. While Usman's move might not present significant upside, Nickal acknowledges the former champion's credentials.

"Not too much of an upside, but for Usman, he’s already been a defending champion, and then just lost back-to-back [fights]," Nickal said. "He’s not really in a great position. But it should be a good fight."

Anticipating the Chimaev vs. Usman clash, Nickal remains a keen observer, considering the competitiveness of Chimaev's recent bout against Gilbert Burns at UFC 273.

In the complex landscape of MMA, Nickal, with his explosive performances, continues to be a fighter to watch, and fans eagerly await his eventual ascent to the octagon against high-caliber opponents like Chimaev.

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