Bo Nickal has excelled in professional MMA, finishing all five of his UFC fights in the very first round. Most of them via submission.
He is also a three-time NCAA Division 1 wrestling national champion…

So it may come as no surprise that, a while back, he surprised everyone in his first ever Jiu-Jitsu class – by beating every single belt level!

He revealed what happened in a recent Johnny Drinks Podcast episode:

I was doing a camp in Missouri and I’d finish the camp.
And then, this guy that I think had a kid who was I was teaching, was like: “Hey, we’re doing Jiu-Jitsu over here if you want to come and roll and stuff.

So it was kind of funny. It [the class] started off, they brought me in with like a white belt, I messed him up.
I know, like these basic submissions just from watching MMA.

And so like, I submit him and then they’re like, okay. Blue belt [comes in].
And, like, the same thing.

Then they brought in a purple belt to face Nickal:

And then they’re like all right, purple belt.
And then it’s, like, kind of competitive. But like, I’m still getting the better of him.

A brown belt was next…

He’s, like, way bigger than me.
And I’m like, whatever. I’m going to wear this dude down.

And so I just start pulling on his head. And at first he’s, like, cocky, so he’s trying to stand with me, wrestle me.
And I’m like: “No, it ain’t working out.”

So I’m pulling his head, messing him up. And then like I got him so tired that he starts pulling guard.
Like, he can’t do anything.

He’s gassed out, I’m passing his guard. And I didn’t submit him, but I’m working him and stuff like that.
And so at this point I’ve been going 45 minutes.

And finally, the black belt instructor:

The instructor, black belt, probably a 50-year-old dude, only guy in the gi.

He pulls guard immediately. He locks me down in Half Guard and he’s got a Gi on.
I’m in, like, shorts and T-shirt. So I’m stuck.

And so I’m, like – alright, I don’t know what I’m doing.
Like, I’m going to try to get my leg out. [But I] can’t get my leg out.

He tries to Wrist Lock me a couple times and I, like, freak out.
I’m, like: “Get it out [the wrist]”, and I get it done. I don’t tap.

And then I just kind of grab his head in his arm and I’m just squeezing, holding him there.
And we’ve gone for probably like 10-12 minutes.

Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: The Ultimate Guide for Calmly Beating Bigger, Younger Opponents

💥 What if slowing down was the fastest way to win? 💭 Tired of Getting Smashed by Younger, Stronger Grapplers? It’s not your age. It’s your strategy. If you’re a passionate grappler over 35 who’s sick of getting outpaced, outmuscled, or out-cardio’d by opponents half your age — this 120 page e-book was made for you. 🔓 Unlock the Power of Sloth Jiu-Jitsu:

Build Sustainable Strength—Without Wrecking Your Joints, Energy, or Jiu-Jitsu

Tired of waking up sore and burnt out after lifting? Sloth Strength is a proven blueprint for grapplers over 35 who want to get stronger—without the pain, burnout, or injuries.

Developed from 25 years on the mats, this no-burnout approach is made specifically for BJJ athletes in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.