LAS VEGAS – Bo Niccal is ready to step up in competition and the name came to mind immediately after defeating Cody Brundage at UFC 300.
Knickal (6-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) took on Brundage (10-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC) in the second round of the pay-per-view opener, but it was yet another defeat by the undefeated wrestler. It was a breathtaking performance. During his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan inside the Octagon, Nickal called out Anthony Hernandez's name.
In the post-fight press conference, Nickal detailed why he chose to call up the 12th-ranked middleweight in the UFC.
“I think it's going to be a fun game, a great game,” Nickal told reporters. “He's a guy with great cardio, wrestling, great striking, he's well-rounded, and he got a big win in his last fight. Right away, if it's not my next fight, right away. That's going to happen, but that's the type of guys I want to fight.
“His name just popped into my head because I was watching his games recently, but any player in that ranking, that part of the division, those guys are ready for me.”
Nickal was his own worst critic after quitting Brundage. After the referee stopped the match, he immediately gave himself two thumbs down, as Nickal expected to completely dominate the match. There were some intense moments in the early striking battle, and Nikkal admitted he wanted to go for a knockout to earn his $300,000 bonus, but in the end he decided to do what he does best in the grappling department. I'm back.
Nickal will also be on board if the UFC wants to see him develop a bit more before facing a ranked opponent, but he thinks “Fluffy” Hernandez is a solid next step in the competition. .
“If I have to play a couple more games before I can play against some of the ranked guys, that’s fine,” Nickal said. “That's a conversation between me and the UFC, but I want to start fighting better fighters and he's a guy that I see as a better fighter.”
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