DC warns Bo Nickal about challenging Khamzat Chimaev: This isn't wrestling!

Former double champion Daniel Cormier advises wrestling phenom Bo Nickal not to challenge Khamzat Chimaev too early.

Credentialed wrestler Nickal has taken the MMA world by storm since going pro back in June. In just a few months time he’s finished three straight opponents and earned a spot in the UFC, taking on Jamie Pickett for his debut on December 10 at UFC 282.

Despite the fact that Nickal has yet to make his debut, the middleweight fighter has taken the opportunity to challenge one of the promotion’s most dominant fighters. Nickal believes that Khamzat won’t be able to measure up in the wrestling department and that he’d dominate the third-ranked welterweight in the octagon. UFC commentator and former champion Cormier isn’t convinced.

“Bo Nickal doesn’t allow for bumps in the road to really deter him or knock him off course,” Cormier said on his podcast DC & RC. “He’s always heading down one path, and that’s to be the best. When you match them up in just wrestling, I don’t believe that Khamzat can compete with him in just wrestling. But, in mixed martial arts that makes it a little more difficult to implement a strong wrestling base.”

“Look, I struggled taking down Jon Jones even though I was a much more credentialed wrestler. There are so many factors that go into effectively wrestling someone inside the octagon.”

Cormier sees huge potential in 26-year-old Nickal, but believes that the young prospect needs more MMA experience before he’s ready for the challenge that Khamzat poses.

Khamzat currently competes as a welterweight, however after failing to make weight ahead of his scheduled bout against Nate Diaz, “Borz” could make a permanent switch to middleweight. If both Khamzat and Nickal continue their undefeated streaks fans could see them collide in the octagon eventually!