Bo Nickal, one of the most decorated wrestlers ever to step into the MMA cage, is officially expanding his competitive horizons.
Promotional officials confirmed to MMA Fighting that the UFC middleweight has signed with the newly launched Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling organization, while continuing his career in the UFC.
RAF is spearheaded by a trio of notable names: professional wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, former WCW senior VP Eric Bischoff, and respected wrestling coach Izzy Martinez.
Together, they’re aiming to revitalize professional wrestling through elite freestyle matches – and Bo Nickal is now front and center in that mission.
Here is what Hogan said in an official release:
Bo Nickal is a tremendous athlete and one of the most accomplished wrestlers on the planet.
Nickal immediately elevates the RAF roster to new heights with his competitiveness and experience.
When fans attend an RAF event they know they’re going to see the best of the best on the mat.
Nickal’s resume speaks for itself: a three-time NCAA Division I National Champion and the 2019 Dan Hodge Trophy winner, he made a seamless move into MMA.
After a 31-second knockout in his pro debut, he ran through both of his opponents on Dana White’s Contender Series to earn a UFC contract.
Since then, he remained undefeated in the Octagon – until recently.
At UFC Des Moines in May, Nickal suffered the first loss of his professional MMA career, falling to Reinier de Ridder.
Despite the setback, Nickal’s momentum in combat sports hasn’t slowed.
With his entrance into RAF, he’s set to continue building his legacy on both the mat and in the cage, representing a rare modern example of elite crossover between amateur wrestling and professional fighting.
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