Back in 2023, Bo Nickal burst onto the UFC scene after passing the DWCS test, quickly establishing himself as a force in the middleweight division. Unlike many wrestlers who ease into MMA, Nickal jumped straight from an NCAA wrestling background, taking down fighters like Cody Brundage and Paul Craig with precision. His rapid rise made him a fan favorite worldwide—even drawing attention from three U.S. presidents, Donald Trump included.

But the climb hit a roadblock earlier this year. Facing veteran and former ONE Champion Reinier de Ridder, Bo Nickal’s inexperience showed. A second-round knee knockout handed him his first UFC loss, exposing gaps in his game and underscoring that the 29-year-old still needs seasoning as the division grows deeper and tougher. It also highlighted the limits of his MMA experience—before DWCS, he had only fought in Jorge Masvidal’s iKon FC.

Since that first loss, the American standout has slowed down, taking time to sharpen his skills. “No need to go too fast,” he admitted, knowing he can’t chase back-to-back fights on the path to the championship. Now, after months away, the Dana White & UFC has set his next challenge. Journalist Marcel Dorff broke the news on X: “Bo Nickal will fight Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 322” at Madison Square Garden.

Vieira, dubbed ‘The Black Belt Hunter,’ is a Brazilian MMA fighter and elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. Born on September 25, 1989, in Rio de Janeiro, he transitioned from a decorated grappling career into MMA in 2017. Since joining the UFC in 2019, he has competed consistently in the middleweight division. Consequently, this matchup immediately drew fan attention, with many siding with the more experienced Vieira.

Fans predict another setback for Bo Nickal at UFC 322

Back in May, ahead of UFC Fight Night, Bo Nickal stepped into the octagon as the fan favorite against Reinier de Ridder. Both fighters brought grit and determination, and fans expected a wrestling-heavy showdown. However, de Ridder, carrying years of MMA experience from his ONE Championship tenure, closed the distance to neutralize Nickal’s space, while employing relentless clinch work to land repeated body and head knees that ultimately wore him down.

Now, another grappler is set to face Bo Nickal, and the fan reaction is already heating up. One commented, “Bo the fraud by KO unfortunately,” while another added, “The Vieira title run starts now.” Even so, it would be a mistake to underestimate the former NCAA star, one of the most decorated American wrestlers of his generation. A three-time NCAA champion and three-time Big Ten winner at Penn State, Nickal also claimed the 2019 Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation’s top collegiate wrestler.

On top of that, on the international stage, he won gold at the 2019 U23 World Championships, known for his explosive takedowns and relentless wrestling style. Still, the skeptics remain vocal. One fan predicted, “2nd L for Bo is coming,” while another insisted that Vieira’s good days are ahead after defeating Bo Nickal: “title run starts now!”

Rodolfo Vieira, brings a professional MMA record of 11 wins and 3 losses into the matchup. As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist, nine of his victories have come via submission. Notably, Vieira holds the UFC record for the most arm-triangle submissions, with four to his name. In his most recent bout on August 2, 2025, he defeated Tresean Gore by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night: Taira vs. Park.

With that in mind, fans weighed in again: “Rip Bo,” while others questioned the matchmaking: “Why would you give this guy a great BJJ player AGAIN when all he can do is wrestle?” Bo Nickal has faced grapplers like Paul Craig before, showcasing his wrestling pedigree, but Vieira represents a higher-level submission threat, and this fight will truly test how far Nickal has come.

Bo Nickal’s career trajectory has also drawn scrutiny due to his limited MMA experience. UFC veteran Justin Gaethje once pointedly advised him: “Like I did. I had 16 fights before I went to UFC,” highlighting just how crucial experience is for surviving—and thriving—at the elite level. That insight, Gaethje notes, is part of why he succeeded in the lightweight division.