Bo Nickal, a 28-year-old former college wrestling champion, is widely seen as a future UFC star with an undefeated 6-0 MMA record, generating significant buzz around his career.
However, his journey ahead is tough, with his next challenge coming against seasoned UFC veteran Paul Craig, renowned for his upset victories. If Craig manages to defeat the -900 favorite Nickal at UFC 309, it would mark the sixth-biggest betting upset in UFC history.
Nickal has made a seamless transition into MMA, leveraging his extensive wrestling background and athleticism to secure six wins. All his victories were finishes—four by submission and two by knockout/technical knockout. Notably, five of these wins occurred in the first round, with only his most recent bout extending to the second round.
In that fight, Nickal faced Cody Brundage, his toughest opponent so far. While Brundage, who lost to Nickal by submission, is skilled, he doesn’t match Paul Craig’s grappling expertise.
Craig, known for his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prowess, has built a reputation for securing unexpected submissions, especially when he’s the underdog. One of his most notable victories was against Magomed Ankalaev, who was a -715 favorite going into the fight.
Craig has a knack for turning the tide when he’s cornered, making him unafraid of being taken down by Nickal. In fact, he might welcome it.
Craig’s ability to work off his back and exploit any openings makes him a formidable opponent for someone still honing their MMA skills. If the fight goes to the ground in an uncontrolled scramble, Craig’s submission skills could present a significant threat to Nickal.
Bo Nickal – 900
Paul Craig + 650
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, November 15, 2024
