Bo Nickal can relate to Gable Steveson more than most.
Nickal may not be an Olympic gold medalist, but the multiple-time NCAA champion is one of the best wrestlers to ever step into the Octagon. As a result of his collegiate and world wrestling accomplishments, Nickal was immediately put on the fast track to MMA stardom. Two amateur fights and one pro win were enough to earn him a spot on Contenders Series, whereas most professionals have at least a dozen combined bouts before making it to that stage.
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Nickal won his first four UFC bouts to prove his potential, but the result was facing Reinier de Ridder — a 12-year pro with 21 fights and multiple world titles to his name — in just his eighth MMA fight. It may have been an upset per the betting odds, but it shouldn’t have been too shocking that Nickal struggled with the experience and tactics of “RDR,” who handed Nickal his first loss in May 2025. The former Nittany Lion has already rebounded with a spectacular head kick knockout win (watch here), and he’s learned some important lessons in the process.
Lessons he can potentially pass on to Steveson, who is currently in the midst of a meteoric rise through the MMA world. Primarily, Nickal implores Steveson to focus on himself and self-improvement rather than get swept away by hype and circumstance.
“In regards to Gable, I would say the career stuff and everything, it’s going to work out the way it’s supposed to,” Nickal explained to MMA Fighting. “Just continue to focus on getting better at fighting, getting better at your sport. Being disciplined. Staying committed to your goals. Regardless of who you fight, what’s the opponent, how fast your career is moving, I think that it’s really more just about continuing to grow and improve and get better.”
Nickal continued, “You can always play the ‘what if’ game or hindsight is 20/20 or people try to politic their way into certain matchups, this, that. I look at it [like] like other people can worry about that for me. I’m worried about just improving, getting better as a fighter, growing as a person every single day and being present. For him, I would just say the same thing. Just focus on getting better at fighting and whatever the matchups are, you’ll figure it out. If you win or lose a fight, you’re still Gable Steveson. So try to be yourself and try to improve.”
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Under the tutelage of Jon Jones, Steveson has picked up three vicious and fast knockout wins in the last six months. He’ll compete again this Thursday (Feb. 19, 2026) opposite Hugo Lezama (11-3) in Monterey, Mexico, and he’s optimistic that one more victory will earn him a UFC contract.
Lord knows the Heavyweight division could use the help.
