Surging UFC Prospect Denies Turning Down Khamzat Chimaev Fight

This top UFC prospect says he was never offered Chimaev fight for UFC 294.

The search for Khamzat Chimaev's new UFC 294 opponent is over, and one prospect is denying rumors.

Chimaev was set to settle his bad blood with Paulo Costa on October 21 in Abu Dhabi. Fight fans were well aware that the fight was in jeopardy when "Borrachinha" underwent surgery on his elbow for bursitis. Costa denied he had pulled out of the fight, but ultimately, he was forced off the UFC 294 card.

Taking Costa's place will be former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed to Yahoo! Sports that the winner of Usman vs. Chimaev will receive a shot at the UFC Middleweight Championship.

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There is one name that circulated around the rumor mill before Usman vs. Chimaev was announced. That fighter was Bo Nickal, a rising 185-pound prospect. Nickal, a decorated freestyle wrestler, has gotten off to a hot start early into his pro MMA career with a record of 5-0. None of those fights have made it past the first round.

Bo Nickal has hopped on his X account to address those rumors, making it clear that he couldn't turn down a fight he wasn't even offered.

I was not offered to fight at UFC 294. Everyone knows I want the fight, looks like we will do it in the future with full camps which is preferable. I want to beat everyone at their best with a full camp preparing for me.

— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) October 11, 2023

"I was not offered to fight at UFC 294," Nickal said. "Everyone knows I want the fight, looks like we will do it in the future with full camps which is preferable. I want to beat everyone at their best with a full camp preparing for me."

Nickal has insisted that he will eventually meet Khamzat Chimaev inside the Octagon. He's shooting for the stars, envisioning a packed Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada for the matchup. 

Of course, Nickal will have to continue building his resume as a pro MMA fighter and get past stiffer competition before he can get to that level, but he's confident that he'll do just that.

READ MORE: KHAMZAT CHIMAEV TO FIGHT FORMER-WELTERWEIGHT CHAMP AT UFC 294

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