Chael Sonnen recently provided an analysis of the collapse of the hype surrounding Bo Nickal following Nickal’s latest loss in mixed martial arts. Bo Nickal recently suffered from his first professional MMA loss. The outstanding Pennsylvania wrestler is a three-time NCAA Division I national champion and winner of the 2019 Dan Hodge Trophy and was recognized as one of the most dominant college wrestlers of his time.
After moving to MMA in 2022, Nickal quickly made an impact, winning the first seven professional fights, including four at the UFC. His rapid rise raised high expectations, but in the UFC of ESPN 67 in May 2025, Nickal was defeated by former one champion Reinier de Ridder by knockout, marking his first professional defeat.
Weight of UFC Veterans: What Bo Nickal’s loss means for MMA rising stars
Sonnen noted the unique scrutiny that comes with the MMA, saying, “What happened with Bo? It’s a very interesting microscope we live in. Bo Nikkal has so much experience in his life, but MMA is different from wrestling.” He contrasted with the frequency of wrestling competition with MMA, saying, “I have one responsive in MMA, only one. And we could only do it three times a year. I was used to play four and five matches in a day. It was every Saturday.”
Sonnen highlighted the psychological differences between the two sports, adding, “If you lose a wrestling match, you could sit down and be depressed and not be able to see what social media says. 40 minutes later, the comforting bracket is up.” He added, “You recover quickly, and your heart is just as good as your last match.” However, in MMA, fighters like Nikkal have to deal with public opinion reactions after their loss. “The Bo and the guys in this case are in very different positions and they have to come back and hear from the public who are now happy to be defeated,” Sonnen said.
He also tackled the emotional impact of defeat, “Look, it’s someone who doesn’t do anything to them, that’s an act. It’s something to them.” Sonnen discussed the importance of space in wrestling and MMA, and said, “Wrestlers don’t want space. Wrestlers are removing space. Space is illegal in wrestling.” He emphasized the effectiveness of traditional wrestling training. “The absolute best way to create an Olympic team in wrestling is to train in college wrestling and paste it 15 or 20 minutes after practice,” Bonikkal said.
Chael Sonnen warned of training methods that don’t translate into MMA, “If you’re actually doing something that’s a movement or movement that doesn’t happen in the octagon, you’re wasting your time.” He recalls Nikkal’s approach, saying, “I’ve never seen Bo Nikkal want to make distance in a competition. I just watch him take away the distance in the competition.”
Sonnen concluded by referring to Nickal’s instinctive wrestling style. “Bo was 15 so there was a fight he noticed. I have to grab this guy and throw him away. There’s nothing else.
