Former Penn State wrestler Bo Nickal didn’t need much time to remain undefeated at UFC 290 in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Nickal knocked out Valentine Woodburn in 38 seconds to move to 5-0 in his MMA career. The 27-year-old middleweight competitor was a heavy favorite going into the fight, as Woodburn was a late replacement for Tresean Gore, who had to bow out due to injury.
Nickal did not disappoint.
Nickal was a three-time Big Ten champion at 174, 184 and 197 pounds and three-time national champion at 184 and 197 pounds during his career at Penn State.
He also earned the Dan Hodge Award as the nation’s most outstanding collegiate wrestler and took home the gold medal in the 92kg weight class at the U.S. National Championships and U23 World Championships in 2019.
After going 2-0 as an amateur, Nickal made his professional MMA debut last June. He won that matchup before picking up two more victories in Dana White’s Contender Series.
Nickal is 2-0 in UFC competition after beating Woodburn last night. He won his UFC debut against Jamie Pickett back in March.