Three-time NCAA Division I national champion Bo Nickal made his highly anticipated UFC debut on Saturday. Opening the UFC 285 main card, Nickal squared off with Jamie Pickett inside T-Mobile Arena. After scoring three straight victories, including back-to-back wins on Dana White’s Contender Series, Nickal stepped into the Octagon as one of the biggest favorites in UFC history. Listed as a -1500 favorite throughout the week, the odds began to widen further as fight night approached with some sportsbooks listing Nickal at -2000.
Bo Nickal came out guns blazing in the opening seconds of his bout on Saturday night and delivered the performance that fans were expecting. It only took 60 seconds for Nickal to get Pickett on the canvas. Initially fishing for a rear-naked choke, Pickett was able to turn his body but gave Nickal an opening to lock in a triangle choke. To Pickett’s credit, he fought for as long as he possibly could, but the squeeze of Nickal was simply too much to overcome.
Official Result: Bo Nickal def. Jamie Pickett via submission (arm triangle choke) at 2:54 of Round 1
