This is the UFC 322 live blog for Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira, the featured preliminary middleweight bout Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
One of the most decorated collegiate wrestlers of all
time, Nickal (7-1) suffered his first MMA loss this past May when he was knocked out in the second round by top middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder. Prior to that setback, Nickal was 4-0 in the UFC with three finishes. The three-time Division-I NCAA wrestling champion now looks to prove that he’s only more dangerous after suffering a setback.
Vieira (11-3) is a legend in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu world, and he’s parlayed his skills into six wins in nine UFC appearances. “The Black Belt Hunter” has won three of his past four fights and an upset win over a blue-chip prospect like Nickal could make him a sleeper in the middleweight division.
Check out the UFC 322 live blog for Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira below.
Preamble
It’s Bo Nickal time! He’s not on the main card, but there’s no question his fights continue to be a big deal. He might have been pushed a tad too quickly up the ranks, so Rodolfo Vieira feels like the right kind of recalibration. Let’s see how it goes.
Always tell me the odds
Still a lot of public confidence in Nickal as he is a -245 favorite according to FanDuel. Vieira a 2-to-1 underdog.
Round 1
Referee Dan Miragliotta oversees the featured prelim.
