Bo Nickal wants the MMA version of a matchup with Khamzat Chimaev before the two decorated grapplers meet under Real American Freestyle rules.
Speaking with The Schmo at RAF, Nickal was asked whether a Chimaev matchup should happen in the UFC or on the wrestling mat first. He favored the Octagon, but also explained how an RAF meeting could build toward a UFC title fight.
“I think probably UFC first, you know? I would love it if it was in RAF. I think that he’d probably be game to face me. You know, he’s a confident guy. He’s definitely a talented guy. You know, I think that either way it’d be exciting, but I would expect it probably to be in the UFC first. But it would be really cool if it was in RAF first and then built that to a title fight after that. So, you know, who knows? You never know what’s going to happen in this sport.”
Watch Nickal’s answer in the interview clip below.
Bo Nickal feels he and Khamzat Chimaev should fight in the UFC first.
“I think probably UFC first. I’d love it if it was in RAF. I think he’d probably be game to face me. I would expect to be in the UFC first.
When I watched that fight, it was a super close fight. Definitely, Khamzat pulling guard and things like that changes the perspective of him, but he’s still one of the best in the world.”
( via @TheSchmo312 )
— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) August 21, 2026
Nickal Assesses Chimaev After The Strickland Fight
Nickal was also asked whether Chimaev’s loss to Sean Strickland changed his opinion of the former champion. His answer was more measured than the short social-media excerpt suggested.
“A little bit, yeah. I think, you know, when I watched that fight, it was a super close fight, super tight. Both guys competed well. And so, you know, it definitely—like, him pulling guard, things like that—changes the perspective of him a little bit, I think. But, you know, he’s still one of the best guys in the world, if not the best guy in the world.”
Nickal then framed his interest in elite opposition as part of a broader goal rather than a fixation on one opponent.
“For me, I really shifted my goals away from not really trying to beat any certain guy. I’m just trying to get better at the sport, improve every day and just see how good I can get. And that’s what’s fun for me, is the process.”
Nickal has continued adding freestyle dates alongside his UFC career. He is also booked to face Olympic champion Shirvani Muradov in Moscow after his Max McEnelly match.
A Chimaev bout remains a callout rather than an official booking. Chimaev, meanwhile, has publicly pushed Dana White for another UFC assignment. Nickal most recently stopped Kyle Daukaus in the first round at UFC Freedom 250.
