Bo Nickal wants to beat Khamzat Chimaev in more than just one discipline. The two middleweight contenders now share a wrestling card outside the UFC entirely. Both men compete in Moscow next month before eventually returning to the Octagon. That shared card only adds fuel to a rivalry that has simmered for years.
Bo Nickal Khamzat Chimaev Rivalry Explained
Nickal faces Olympic champion Shirvani Muradov at RAF Moscow on September 5. Chimaev meets former UFC champion Tyron Woodley on that very same card. Both middleweights will compete just hours apart inside the same wrestling event. That proximity keeps their long standing rivalry firmly in the spotlight this fall.
Nickal has called out Chimaev repeatedly since first entering the UFC years ago. He once claimed he could ragdoll him in a pure wrestling setting. Nickal later clarified those comments applied strictly to wrestling, not an actual MMA fight. He still maintains genuine interest in eventually facing him inside the Octagon.
Key Details
Chimaev 15-1-0 previously expressed openness to grappling with Nickal outside of official competition. He specifically named Nickal as someone he would consider facing in freestyle wrestling. Both men bring elite amateur wrestling pedigree into their current mixed martial arts careers. That shared background has fueled comparisons between them for several years now.
Nickal holds a background as a three time NCAA Division I wrestling champion. Chimaev built his own reputation through combat sambo and international level wrestling success. Their contrasting styles and personalities have made this hypothetical matchup a fan favorite topic. Analysts continue debating how a potential fight between them might actually play out.
What This Means
The RAF Moscow card gives fans an indirect preview of both men’s current form. Strong performances there could increase pressure on the UFC to finally book their fight. Nickal has stated multiple times that a future matchup remains a genuine goal.
Chimaev’s recent form adds extra intrigue to any potential future encounter. He lost his middleweight title to Sean Strickland earlier this year. That result could reshape how soon a fight with Nickal becomes realistic timing wise.
Both men returning healthy from Moscow would keep that storyline alive going forward. Fans will watch closely for any statements made during fight week in Russia. A strong showing from either side would only intensify calls for the eventual matchup.
Background Context
Nickal enters this wrestling return with a UFC record of eight wins and one loss. His only defeat came against Reinier de Ridder, who fights this same week in Sacramento. Chimaev remains one of the sport’s most talked about middleweight contenders overall.
Both fighters have built massive followings tied directly to their wrestling backgrounds. Their eventual matchup remains one of the most requested fights among current fans. For now, Moscow offers the closest thing to a preview either side will get.
Conclusion
Bo Nickal Khamzat Chimaev rivalry keeps building even outside the UFC’s own cage. Both men now share a stage in Moscow before their expected eventual collision course. Fans will treat their September performances as an unofficial measuring stick. The long awaited matchup between them still feels closer than ever before.
