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TMZSports.com
Like him or don’t, it’s undeniable that Jake Paul can strike … but if the Problem Child truly wants to brush up on his wrestling skills and take an MMA fight, there’s a U.S. wrestling legend who tells us he’s happy to train the 27-year-old star — Bo Nickal!
Nickal is a 3x NCAA Division I wrestling champion (184 lbs. x 2, 197 lbs.) who earned a UFC contract on Dana White‘s Contender Series last year. On Wednesday, TMZ Sports was talking to the 27-year-old, who just signed a deal with Jake’s media company, Betr (more on that soon), when we asked if he planned to train with JP.
“Oh yeah. 100 percent. I’m super excited to train with [Jake]. Not only to be able to help him out a little bit on the MMA grappling side, but also just to learn from him,” Bo said, adding, “He’s got a ton of experience boxing and it’d be awesome just to be able to get together and work together.”
Of course, Paul, 6-0 as a boxer, recently signed a deal with PFL … and called out Nate Diaz. Jake, a solid wrestler in high school, proposed a two-fight deal with the MMA star from Stockton … one MMA fight and one boxing match.
As for the partnership with Paul’s Betr, Bo says he and Jake have a few things up their sleeves … including a ‘UFC Embedded’-style show that’ll follow Nickal as he prepares for his first proper UFC fight.
Speaking of, Bo, 3-0 in MMA, just learned when he’ll be making his first non-Contender Series appearance … and it’s on a big card, UFC 285, headlined by Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane. Jones hasn’t been in the Octagon since beating Dominick Reyes in February 2020, over three years ago.
Nickal will face MMA veteran, Jamie Pickett at middleweight (185 lbs.) in the first fight on the main card.
Bo has visions of winning a UFC title, but isn’t looking past his first fight … a scrap he intends to end with a knockout or submission, and early on in the fight.
“I think first and foremost, I plan on just focusing on one fight at a time. Taking care of business this next fight, putting on a spectacular performance. I’d like to get a first-round finish. I’m expecting to finish this guy, regardless.”
“Getting a finish in my UFC debut is really most prominently on my mind.”
To say Bo’s pumped about the Pickett fight may be an understatement … he’s ready to go!
“It’s such an awesome opportunity to be able to be on the main card, especially a Jon Jones pay-per-view. It’s gonna be crazy.”