NEW YORK – Dana White thinks Bo Nickal needs to slow his role after UFC 309.
Nickal (7-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) remained unbeaten when he outstruck Paul Craig (17-9-1 MMA, 9-9-1 UFC) on Saturday’s main card at Madison Square Garden – the first time he goes to the judges’ scorecards.
It was a lackluster fight for the most part, where Nickal landed the better shots than Craig, but didn’t attempt a single takedown.
“Well, you know, we’ve had these discussions with Bo, Bo needs work,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight at UFC 309. “Bo is an up-and-coming guy. I know he has big aspirations and wants to move faster than he should, but tonight showed that – I mean, he still dominated, he won the whole fight, but he’s got work to do. It’s alright, we’ll move him. When you’re in a position like Bo is, there’s a lot of expectations.”
Prior to UFC 309, Nickal mapped out a plan where he saw himself five fights away from a title shot. Nickal received “overrated” chants from the crowd, but the standout wrestler was unbothered with the reaction. He called his performance “picture-perfect,” and was happy to log in experience of fighting three rounds after finishing his first six professional fights.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.
