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Bo Nickal

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Bo Nickal
Nickal at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2023
BornBo Dean Nickal[1]
(1996-01-14) January 14, 1996 (age 28)
Rifle, Colorado, U.S.
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
DivisionMiddleweight (2022–present)
Reach75 in (191 cm)
StyleWrestling
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofState College, Pennsylvania, U.S.
TeamAmerican Top Team
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
WrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling[3]
Years active2022–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total7
Wins7
By knockout2
By submission4
By decision1
Losses0
Amateur record
Total2
Wins2
By knockout1
By submission1
Losses0
Other information
UniversityPennsylvania State University
Notable school(s)Allen High School (TX)
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing  United States
U23 World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2019 Budapest 92 kg
US National Championships
Gold medal – first place 2019 Las Vegas 92 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Penn State Nittany Lions
NCAA Division I Championships
Gold medal – first place 2017 St. Louis 184 lb
Gold medal – first place 2018 Cleveland 184 lb
Gold medal – first place 2019 Pittsburgh 197 lb
Silver medal – second place 2016 New York 174 lb
Big Ten Championships
Gold medal – first place 2016 Iowa City 174 lb
Gold medal – first place 2018 East Lansing 184 lb
Gold medal – first place 2019 Minneapolis 197 lb
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Bloomington 184 lb

Bo Dean Nickal (born January 14, 1996) is an American professional mixed martial artist, former freestyle and graduated folkstyle wrestler who currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[4][5] In freestyle wrestling, he claimed the 2019 U23 World Championship and the US Open national championship, and was a finalist at the 2020 US Olympic Team Trials and a Final X contestant in 2019.[6][7][8] As a collegiate wrestler, Nickal was a three-time NCAA Division I national champion (finalist in 2016) and a three-time Big Ten Conference champion out of Pennsylvania State University.[3]

Considered one of the most accomplished Nittany Lions of all-time, Nickal earned the 2019 Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation's most outstanding collegiate wrestler, was a two-time Schalles Award winner as the nation's best pinner and was also named the 2019 Big Ten Athlete of the Year.[9][10]

Wrestling career

[edit]

Background and high school

[edit]

Nickal was born in Rifle, Colorado, but moved to Wyoming at a young age, where he started wrestling around five or six years old. In fifth grade, he moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Nickal made the varsity high school team while in eighth grade and placed second at the New Mexico state tournament that same season.[11] As a freshman, he moved once again, now to Allen High School in Allen, Texas, placing second at the Texas state tournament as a freshman.[12] He won every state tournament he competed in from his sophomore-year onward, becoming a three-time Texas state champion.[13][14][15] As a junior, he placed fifth at the 2013 U17 World Championships in freestyle.[16] After finishing his junior year, Nickal committed to wrestle as a Nittany Lion at the Pennsylvania State University.[17] He graduated from high school with an 183–7 record, including 131 pins, and was the pound-for-pound ninth-ranked wrestler in the nation.[18]

Pennsylvania State University

[edit]

2014–2015

[edit]

Nickal opted to compete under a redshirt during his first collegiate year, compiling a 15–2 record in open tournaments while wrestling unattached at 174 pounds.[19]

2015–2016

[edit]

Entering his freshman season ranked fourteenth in the country, Nickal won his first eighteen matches, claiming titles from the Nittany Lion Open[20] and the Southern Scuffle[21] and notable victories over returning NCAA runner-up Brian Realbuto, multiple DI All-Americans in Zach Epperly, Bryce Hammond and Ethan Ramos, and future NCAA champion Myles Martin.[22][23][24] In his nineteenth match, Nickal, now the top-ranked 174 pounder in the country, was defeated by Nate Jackson on points, ending his streak.[25] Afterwards, Nickal bounced back with eight straight wins, including another one over Martin, to finish the regular season with a record of 26–1.[26] At the Big Ten Conference Championships, Nickal claimed three bonus point-victories, including a fall over Martin and a major over Zac Brunson in the finale.[27][28] Nickal entered the NCAA's as the top-seed, defeating his first three opponents to make the semifinals, where he avenged his regular season loss to Nate Jackson on points, advancing to the finals.[29] In the finals, Nickal faced the eleventh seed in Myles Martin, whom he had already defeated three times earlier, but was defeated by the opposition in a close and frenetic upset, claiming runner-up honors.[30]

Nickal then went up to 86 kilograms for the 2016 US Last Chance World Trials Qualifier (freestyle) in April, where he placed fourth after recording a 5–2 record.[31] He then attempted to make the 2016 U20 US World Team, but was stopped by Zahid Valencia.[32]

2016–2017

[edit]

As a sophomore, Nickal moved up to the 184 pounds division.[33] During his unbeaten regular season, Nickal pinned his way to the Keystone Classic title[34] and went 14–0 in dual meets, dominantly avenging his NCAA championship loss to Myles Martin, and also including wins over returning NCAA runner-up TJ Dudley and returning All-Americans Sammy Brooks and Nolan Boyd (both by fall).[35][36][37][38] In the postseason, Nickal was upset in the semifinals of the Big Ten Championships by rival Myles Martin, but came back to place third, beating TJ Dudley for the second time.[39] At the NCAA's, Nickal got a technical fall in the first round[40] and three straight falls to make his second finals, notably pinning Dudley and Sammy Brooks.[41] In the finale, Nickal faced undefeated-in-the-season and defending two-time NCAA champion Gabe Dean, whom he was able to edge by a point, claiming his first NCAA title and denying Dean his third.[42]

Fresh off his first collegiate championship, Nickal went back up to 86 kilos to place fourth at the US Freestyle Open, going 4–2.[43]

2017–2018

[edit]

As a junior, Nickal compiled 23 wins and no losses during regular season, with 21 bonus–point victories, claimed multiple tournament titles and wins over the likes of Domenic Abounader and his nemesis Myles Martin.[3] At the Big Ten Championships, Nickal claimed his second title by beating Martin in the finale, advancing to the NCAAs as the favorite top–seed.[44] At the National tournament, he earned notable wins over '16 MAC champion Jordan Ellingwood, freshman phenom from Cornell Max Dean and Michigan's Domenic Abounader to make the finale, where he scored one of his signature pins in his career over Myles Martin, ending the rivalry, claiming his second NCAA title and clinching the team title for PSU.[45] Due to his dominance, he was awarded the NCAA Championship Outstanding Wrestler award (MVP)[46] and the prestigious Schalles Award as the nation's top pinner.[47]

2018–2019

[edit]

As a redshirt senior, Nickal moved up once again to 197 pounds. At this new weight class, he comfortably won the Big Ten Conference Championship for the second time consecutively and third time overall.[48] At his last NCAA tournament, he dominated all three matches to get to the final, pinning his first two opponents and getting a major in the semifinals. In the finals, Nickal defeated the second seeded Kollin Moore by points (5-1) to claim the NCAA title,[49] becoming one of the four Penn State wrestlers to win three NCAA National Championships and the third one (along with David Taylor and Jason Nolf) to be a four-time NCAA Finalist.[50] At the end of the season, he was awarded the Dan Hodge Trophy as nation's best college wrestler[51] and the Schalles Award (for the second time consecutively) as US' top pinner.[47] He was also named 2019 Co-Big Ten wrestler of the Year, Penn State Male Athlete of the Year, and Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year.[52][53]

Freestyle career

[edit]

2019

[edit]

Once his final run in collegiate wrestling was over, Nickal immediately turned his focus solely to freestyle.[52] Going back to the style after two years, Nickal competed at the US Open, bulking up to 92 kilograms instead of going down to 86 kilos due to teammate David Taylor being the returning World Champion in the weight class.[54] He walked through his competition, stopping five opponents (three by technical fall and two by fall) and earning the championship.[55]

After winning the US Open, Nickal automatically advanced to the finals of the US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament, in which he faced Michael Macchiavello in a best-of-three rematch.[56] He dominated the first match winning by technical fall (10–0) and in the second match he would outscore his opponent 5–0, without letting him to score a point in either match.[57]

Nickal wrestled in two straight matches against returning World Champion J'den Cox for the spot to represent the United States at the 2019 World Championships.[57] In the first match, he was outscored 2–4 and wasn't able to score offensively, and in the second, he wasn't able to score a single point, while Cox scored 5 of his own, losing the series.[58][59]

As a 23-year old Final X contestant, Nickal had the right to compete at the US U23 World Team Trials against the Challenge Tournament winner, Jakob Woodley.[59] The special wrestle-offs took place during the Fargo Nationals. Nickal dominated 12–4 in the first match and 8–2 in the second match, earning the right to represent United States at the U23 World Championships.[57][58]

At the U23 World Championships, Nickal defeated three opponents (one by fall, one by technical fall and one by points) including Shamil Zubairov, the returning champion, to get to the finals, where he faced 2018 Russian National champion Batyrbek Tsakulov (whom he had lost to at the 2013 Cadet World Championships).[6] Nickal was able to avenge his loss with a 12–2 technical fall victory to earn the championship.[60][58]

2020

[edit]

By the start of 2020, Nickal moved up to 97 kilograms in an attempt to take out reigning Olympic Gold medalist Kyle Snyder.[61] He effortlessly passed the first round by technical fall before facing Mohammad Hossein Mohammadian (winner of the championship), who would nullify Nickal to a 0–10 technical fall, marking the first time he had been defeated in such fashion in freestyle (since graduating) or college. In the consolation bracket, he would also have a tough time, as he had a close match with Alisher Yergali in which he was down 11–12 but was able to secure a last second takedown and earn a 13–12 point-victory. Next in the bracket was Kyle Snyder, however, Nickal did not appear on the mat, forcing the match to be ruled as a forfeit victory for Snyder and also eliminating Nickal from the tournament, placing seventh.[62][63]

As a 2019 U23 World Champion, Nickal qualified for the 2020 US Olympic Team Trials.[64] He was scheduled to compete at the event on April, however, it was postponed for 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic along with the 2020 Summer Olympics.[65] As a champion at a non-olympic weight, Nickal was supposed to decide whether he was going to compete at 86 or 97 kilograms, but this decision never became public as the events were postponed.[66] On September 21, he announced that he would compete at 86 kilograms in 2021.[67]

Nickal returned to the mats against Alex Dieringer on September 19, at the NLWC I, making his debut at 86 kilograms since completely crossing over.[68] Dieringer scored the first point via push-out early in the first period, however, he was put on the shot-clock due to passivity with 1 minute and 30 seconds left on the match. Nickal tied it up after defending the attacks of his opponent, earning a point and therefore the criteria as the last one to do so. He was able to earn the victory via criteria after neither of them were able to score more points.[69][70] Nickal was later scheduled to wrestle 2020 US National runner-up Nate Jackson on November 24, at the NLWC III,[71] but was removed from the card a day before the event.[72]

2021

[edit]

After a somewhat inactive previous year, Nickal wrestled two-time NCAA Division I National Champion Gabe Dean in a rematch from their 2017 NCAA championship match, on February 23, at the NLWC V.[73] After a scramble-full match, Nickal was defeated by Dean in a close bout.[74]

In early April, Nickal competed at the rescheduled US Olympic Team Trials as the sixth seed, in an attempt to represent the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[75] In the challenge tournament Nickal defeated '21 NCAA champion from Penn State Carter Starocci (round of 16), '19 US Open champion and third-seeded Pat Downey (quarterfinals), and '19 US National champion Zahid Valencia (semifinals).[76][77] In the best–of–three finals, Nickal faced fellow Penn State legend and '18 World Champion David Taylor. Nickal lost twice by scores of 0–4 and 0–6, failing to make the US Olympic Team and break Taylor's 45–match win streak.[78] Taylor would go on to claim the gold medal at the Summer Olympics.[79] In regards to their close relationship, Taylor then stated:[80]

"It was a weird emotion," Taylor said. "We had a discussion leading up to it, and we have such a deep room in the wrestling club, especially at 86 kilos, so we're challenged every single day and none of us would be where we are without each other. Bo's amazing, and I wouldn't be where I am without Bo."

Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

On November 10, 2019, it was announced that Nickal had signed an MMA management deal with First Round Management, expecting to make the transition to the sport.[81] It was also announced that Nickal had serious plans on partnering with Dan Lambert and opening a new American Top Team facility at Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania.[82] The building process started on October 23, 2020, and the gym became active on July 2, 2021.[83][84]

After the 2020 US Olympic Trials for wrestling, Nickal made his amateur mixed martial arts debut against David Conley on September 24, 2021, winning via arm-triangle choke submission in round one.[85] In his next bout, Nickal scored a one-punch knockout over Billy Goode on November 5, 2021.[86]

Nickal made his professional MMA debut in the middleweight division against John Noland on June 3, 2022, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia as part of Jorge Masvidal’s iKon FC event.[87] Nickal won the fight via knockout less than a minute into the first round.[88]

Dana White's Contender Series

[edit]

For his second professional match, Nickal faced Zachary Borrego on August 9, 2022, at Dana White's Contender Series 49.[89] At weight ins, Borrego missed weight by 1.5 pounds, coming in at 187.5 lbs. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Borrego was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Nickal.[90] He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission early in the first round.[91] Nickal was not awarded a contract due to his inexperience, with UFC president Dana White instead opting to arrange another fight for Nickal on the Contender Series.[92]

Nickal faced Donovan Beard at Dana White's Contender Series 56 on September 27, 2022.[93] Nickal submitted Beard in 52 seconds via triangle choke, once again not absorbing a significant strike. After this performance, Nickal was awarded his first UFC contract.[94]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

[edit]

Nickal was scheduled to make his UFC debut against Jamie Pickett on December 10, 2022, at UFC 282.[95] However, Nickal withdrew due to injury.[96] The bout was rescheduled for March 4, 2023 at UFC 285.[97] He won the fight via an arm-triangle choke submission in the first round.[98] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[99] Following the fight, Pickett's manager announced plans to appeal the fight to the Nevada State Athletic Commission on the grounds that Nickal took advantage of an uncalled groin shot to win the fight.[100]

Nickal was scheduled to face Tresean Gore on July 8, 2023, at UFC 290.[101] However, Gore withdrew just days before the event due to a torn ligament in his wrist.[102] He was replaced by promotional newcomer Val Woodburn.[103] Nickal finished the bout 38 seconds into the first round via TKO stoppage.[104]

Nickal faced Cody Brundage on April 13, 2024, at UFC 300.[105] He won the fight by rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[106]

Nickal faced Paul Craig on November 16, 2024 at UFC 309.[107] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[108]

Submission grappling career

[edit]

Nickal competed in the first submission grappling match of his combat sports career at Third Coast Grappling 3 on December 7, 2019, when he faced Gordon Ryan in the main event. Nickal was submitted with a triangle choke.[109]

Nickal represented iKon FC in a team grappling tournament at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 2 on July 3, 2022.[110] He fought Eliot Kelly to a draw in the opening round and fought Oliver Taza to a draw in the final, with iKon FC taking second place in the tournament.[111]

Personal life

[edit]

Nickal is the son of Jason and Sandy Nickal. They were both college athletes, as his mother played basketball at San Diego State University and his father played football at Chadron State College.[112] Jason coached Nickal as a youth until he went off to college at Penn State.[113] His mother Sandy is also a former amateur boxer.[114]

Nickal is a Christian. He stated his faith in God helps alleviate the pressure he feels in competition, "Win or lose, I'm still the same person and my family loves me and I still serve a great God, and, you know, that's just part of His plan for my life is to wrestle. So I do feel like it's important, but at the end of the day that's not what defines me. I just have placed my identity in Jesus Christ and I go out there and compete freely and the best I can every match."[115] As a child, his favorite wrestler was two-time Olympic Gold Medalist John Smith. Apart from wrestling, he is also an enthusiast of spikeball[116] and likes American football, his favorite player being former Detroit Lions player Barry Sanders.[113]

Nickal married his wife Maddie Holmberg on December 12, 2020.[117] Maddie is the daughter of Rob Holmberg who played football at Penn State and in the NFL.

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

Mixed martial arts

[edit]

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
7 matches 7 wins 0 losses
By knockout 2 0
By submission 4 0
By decision 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 7–0 Paul Craig Decision (unanimous) UFC 309 November 16, 2024 3 5:00 New York City, New York, United States
Win 6–0 Cody Brundage Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 300 April 13, 2024 2 3:38 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 5–0 Val Woodburn TKO (punches) UFC 290 July 8, 2023 1 0:38 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4–0 Jamie Pickett Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 285 March 4, 2023 1 2:54 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 3–0 Donovan Beard Submission (triangle choke) Dana White's Contender Series 56 September 27, 2022 1 0:52 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 2–0 Zachary Borrego Submission (rear-naked choke) Dana White's Contender Series 49 August 9, 2022 1 1:02 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (187.5 lb) bout; Borrego missed weight.
Win 1–0 John Noland KO (punches) Jorge Masvidal's iKON FC 3 June 3, 2022 1 0:33 Richmond, Virginia, United States Middleweight debut.

[119]

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 2–0 Billy Goode KO (punch) Island Fights 70 November 5, 2021 1 0:56 Pensacola, Florida, United States
Win 1–0 David Conley Submission (guillotine choke) Island Fights 69 September 24, 2021 1 2:02 Pensacola, Florida, United States

Freestyle record

[edit]
Senior freestyle wrestling matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location
2020 US Olympic Team Trials 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 86 kg
Loss 28–10 United States David Taylor 0–6 April 2–3, 2021 2020 US Olympic Team Trials United States Fort Worth, Texas
Loss 28–9 United States David Taylor 0–4
Win 28–8 United States Zahid Valencia 12–5
Win 27–8 United States Pat Downey TF 13–3
Win 26–8 United States Carter Starocci 6–1
Loss 25–8 United States Gabe Dean 2–3 February 23, 2021 NLWC V

United States State College, Pennsylvania

Win 25–7 United States Alex Dieringer 1–1 September 19, 2020 NLWC I
2020 Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series 7th at 97 kg
Win 24–7 Kazakhstan Alisher Yergali 13–12 January 15–18, 2020 Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series 2020

Italy Rome, Italy

Loss 23–7 Iran Mohammad Mohammadian TF 0–10
Win 23–6 Germany George Stark Serege TF 11–1
2019 U23 World Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 92 kg
Win 22–6 Russia Batyrbek Tsakulov TF 12–2 October 30, 2019 2019 U23 World Championships

Hungary Budapest, Hungary

Win 21–6 Azerbaijan Shamil Zubairov 9–1 October 29, 2019
Win 20–6 Japan Takumi Tanizaki Fall
Win 19–6 Iran Hossein Shahbazigazvar TF 12–2
2019 US U23 World Team Trials 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 92 kg
Win 18–6 United States Jake Woodley 12–4 July 16, 2019 2019 Fargo Nationals (special wrestle-off)

United States Fargo, North Dakota

Win 17–6 United States Jake Woodley 8–2
2019 US World Team Trials 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 92 kg
Loss 16–6 United States J'den Cox 0–5 June 8, 2019 2019 Final X: Rutgers

United States New Brunswick, New Jersey

Loss 16–5 United States J'den Cox 2–4 June 7, 2019
Win 16–4 United States Michael Macchiavello 5–0 May 19, 2019 2019 US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament

United States Lincoln, Nebraska

Win 15–4 United States Michael Macchiavello TF 10–0 May 18, 2019
2019 US Open 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 92 kg
Win 14–4 United States Hayden Zillmer TF 13–3 April 24–27, 2019 2019 US Open National Championships

United States Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 13–4 United States Michael Macchiavello TF 14–4
Win 12–4 United States Scottie Boykin TF 10–0
Win 11–4 United States Patrick Rhoads Fall
Win 10–4 United States Jamal Lewis Fall
2017 US Open 4th at 86 kg
Loss 9–4 United States Nick Heflin 8–10 April 29, 2017 2017 US Open National Championships

United States Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 9–3 United States Pat Downey TF 12–2
Loss 8–3 United States Richard Perry 8–10
Win 8–2 United States John Staudenmayer TF 10–0 April 28, 2017
Win 7–2 United States Timmy McCall TF 10–0
Win 6–2 United States Randy Keesler TF 10–0
2016 US Last Chance OTT 4th at 86 kg
Loss 5–2 United States Nick Heflin Fall April 3, 2016 2016 US Last Chance Olympic Team Trials Qualifier

United States Cedar Falls, Iowa

Win 5–1 United States Robert Hamlin 10–8
Win 4–1 United States Victor Terrell TF 10–0
Win 3–1 United States Frank Richmond 14–10
Loss 2–1 United States Kevin Steinhaus TF 1–12
Win 2–0 United States Austin Faunce TF 10–0
Win 1–0 United States Wesley Schultz TF 10–0

NCAA record

[edit]
NCAA Division I Record
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event
End of 2018–2019 Season (senior year)
2019 NCAA Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 197 lbs
Win 120–3 Kollin Moore 5–1 March 21–23, 2019 2019 NCAA Division I National Championships
Win 119–3 Patrick Brucki Fall
Win 118–3 Nathan Traxler MD 14–4
Win 117–3 Josh Hokit Fall
Win 116–3 Ethan Laird Fall
2019 Big Ten Conference 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 197 lbs
Win 115–3 Kollin Moore 10–3 March 9–10, 2019 2019 Big Ten Conference Championships
Win 114–3 Eric Schultz MD 10–2
Win 113–3 Brad Wilton TF 19–4
Win 112–3 Brett Perry Fall February 24, 2019 Buffalo - Penn State Dual
Win 111–3 Matt Wroblewski TF 19–3 February 17, 2019 Penn State- Illinois Dual
Win 110–3 Brad Wilton Fall February 15, 2019 Michigan State - Penn State Dual
Win 109–3 Kollin Moore Fall February 8, 2019 Penn State - Ohio State Dual
Win 108–3 Jackson Striggow Fall February 2, 2019 Michigan - Penn State Dual
Win 107–3 Kleimola Jake Fall January 27, 2019 Penn State - Indiana State Dual
Win 106–3 Christian Brunner MD 17–6 January 25, 2019 Penn State - Purdue Dual
Win 105–3 Eric Schultz 8–6 January 20, 2019 Nebraska - Penn State Dual
Win 104–3 Beau Breske MD 14–4 January 13, 2019 Wisconsin - Penn State Dual
Win 103–3 Zack Chakonis Fall January 11, 2019 Penn State - Northwestern Dual
2019 Southern Scuffle 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 197 lbs
Win 102–3 Nathan Traxler Fall January 1–2, 2019 2019 Southern Scuffle
Win 101–3 Tom Sleigh Fall
Win 100–3 Joshua Roetman Fall
Win 99–3 Luke McGonigal Fall
Win 98–3 Tyrie Houghton Fall
Win 97–3 Austyn Harris Fall December 14, 2018 Arizona State - Penn State Dual
Win 96–3 Jake Jakobsen TF 19–4 December 14, 2018 Lehigh - Penn State Dual
Win 95–3 Drew Phipps MD 16–6 November 30, 2018 Penn State - Bucknell Dual
2018 Keystone Classic 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 197 lbs
Win 94–3 Stephen Loiseau MD 18–4 November 18, 2018 2018 Keystone Classic
Win 93–3 Ethan Laird Fall
Win 92–3 Benjamin Markulec Fall
Win 91–3 Shane Mast Fall November 11, 2018 Maryland - Ohio State Dual
Start of 2018–2019 Season (senior year)
End of 2017–2018 Season (junior year)
2018 NCAA Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 184 lbs
Win 90–3 Myles Martin Fall March 15–17, 2018 2018 NCAA Division I National Championships
Win 89–3 Domenic Abounader 6–3
Win 88–3 Max Dean 13–7
Win 87–3 Jordan Ellingwood 10–4
Win 86–3 Martin Mueller MD 16–4
2018 Big Ten Conference 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 184 lbs
Win 85–3 Myles Martin 7–4 March 3–4, 2018 2018 Big Ten Conference Championships
Win 83–3 Emery Parker 5–2
Win 84–3 Brandon Krone Fall
Win 82–3 Brett Perry Fall February 18, 2018 Buffalo - Penn State Dual
Win 81–3 Mitch Bowman Fall February 10, 2018 Iowa - Penn State Dual
Win 80–3 Myles Martin MD 10–2 February 3, 2018 Ohio State - Penn State Dual
Win 79–3 Nicholas Gravina 6–5 January 28, 2018 Penn State - Rutgers Dual
Win 78–3 Dylan Anderson Fall January 26, 2018 Minnesota - Penn State Dual
Win 77–3 Niko Capello Fall January 21, 2018 Penn State - Maryland Dual
Win 76–3 Max Lyon Fall January 19, 2018 Purdue - Penn State Dual
Win 75–3 Shwan Shadaia Fall January 14, 2018 Penn State -Michigan State Dual
Win 74–3 Domenic Abounader 5–2 January 12, 2018 Penn State - Michigan Dual
2018 Southern Scuffle 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 184 lbs
Win 73–3 Drew Foster MD 10–2 January 1–2, 2018 2018 Southern Scuffle
Win 72–3 Nick Renan MD 12-4
Win 71–3 Stanley Smeltzer Fall
Win 70–3 Austin Flores Fall
Win 69–3 Nick Mosco Fall
Win 68–3 Norman Conley Fall December 17, 2017 Indiana - Penn State Dual
Win 67–3 Ryan Preisch TF 19–4 December 14, 2017 Penn State - Lehigh Dual
2017 Keystone Classic 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 184 lbs
Win 66–3 Mitch Sliga Fall November 19, 2017 2017 Keystone Classic
Win 65–3 Josh Murphy Fall
Win 64–3 Kanon Dean TF 24–9
Win 63–3 Ben Wagner Fall
Win 62–3 Steve Schneider MD 15–6 November 17, 2017 Penn State - Binghamton Dual
Win 61–3 Drew Phipps TF 16–6 November 12, 2017 Bucknell - Penn State Dual
Win 60–3 Noah Steward Fall November 11, 2017 Army - Penn State Dual
Start of 2017–2018 Season (junior year)
End of 2016–2017 Season (sophomore year)
2017 NCAA Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 184 lbs
Win 59–3 Gabe Dean 4–3 March 16–18, 2017 2017 NCAA Division I National Championships
Win 58–3 Sammy Brooks Fall
Win 57–3 TJ Dudley Fall
Win 56–3 Steve Schneider Fall
Win 55–3 Mitch Sliga TF 15–0
2017 Big Ten Conference 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) at 184 lbs
Win 54–3 TJ Dudley 14–9 March 4–5, 2017 2017 Big Ten Conference Championships
Win 53–3 Emery Parker 8–2
Loss 52–3 Myles Martin 4–6
Win 52–2 Hunter Ritter Fall
Win 51–2 Nolan Boyd Fall February 19, 2017 Penn State- Oklahoma State Dual
Win 50–2 Idris White Fall February 12, 2017 Maryland - Penn State Dual
Win 49–2 Emery Parker MD 18–5 February 10, 2017 Illinois -Penn State Dual
Win 48–2 Myles Martin 8–2 February 3, 2017 Penn State - Ohio State Dual
Win 47–2 Mitch Sliga MD 10–1 Januany 29, 2017 Penn State - Northwestern Dual
Win 46–2 Hunter Ritter Fall January 27, 2017 Penn State - Wisconsin Dual
Win 45–2 Sammy Brooks Fall January 20, 2017 Penn State - Iowa Dual
Win 44–2 Nicholas Gravina Fall January 13, 2017 Rutgers - Penn State Dual
Win 43–2 TJ Dudley 10–5 January 8, 2017 Penn State - Nebraska Dual
Win 42–2 Robert Steveson Fall January 6, 2017 Penn State - Minnesota Dual
Win 41–2 Steve Schneider TF 18–7 December 12, 2016 Binghamton - Penn State Dual
Win 40–2 Kyle Gentile Fall December 4, 2016 Lehigh - Bucknell Dual
2016 Keystone Classic 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 184 lbs
Win 39–2 Mitch Sliga Fall November 20, 2016 2016 Keystone Classic
Win 38–2 Anthony Mancini Fall
Win 37–2 Kayne MacCallum Fall
Win 36–2 Elliot Antler Fall
Win 35–2 Austin Flores Fall November 13, 2016 Standford - Penn State Dual
Win 34–2 Samson Imonode Fall November 11, 2016 Penn State - Army Dual
Start of 2016–2017 Season (sophomore year)
End of 2015–2016 Season (freshman year)
2016 NCAA Championships 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 174 lbs
Loss 33–2 Myles Martin 9–11 March 17–19, 2016 2016 NCAA Division I National Championships
Win 33–1 Nate Jackson 4–3
Win 32–1 Chandler Rogers MD 15–4
Win 31–1 Micah Barnes 7–2
Win 30–1 Josef Johnson MD 10–2
2016 Big Ten Conference 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 174 lbs
Win 29–1 Zac Brunson MD 18–9 March 5–6, 2016 2016 Big Ten Conference Championships
Win 28–1 Myles Martin Fall
Win 27–1 Phillip Bakuckas MD 15–3
Win 26–1 Hestin Lamons TF 17–2 February 21, 2016 Oklahoma State - Penn State Dual
Win 25–1 Travis Curley TF 24–9 Feb 13, 2016 Michigan State - Penn State Dual
Win 24–1 Gordon Wolf MD 14–6 Feb 12, 2016 Penn State - Lehigh Dual
Win 23–1 Myles Martin 11–5 February 5, 2016 Ohio State - Penn State Dual
Win 22–1 Davonte Mahomes INJ January 31, 2016 Michigan - Penn State Dual
Win 21–1 Zac Brunson Fall Jan 23, 2016 Penn State - Illinois Dual
Win 20–1 Mitch Sliga Fall Jan 17, 2016 Penn State - Northwestern Dual
Win 19–1 Micah Barnes 10–3 January 15, 2016 Nebraska - Penn State Dual
Loss 18–1 Nate Jackson 6–7 January 12, 2016 Penn State - Indiana Dual
Win 18–0 Jacob Morrissey TF 16–1 January 8, 2016 Penn State - Purdue Dual
2016 Southern Scuffle 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 174 lbs
Win 17–0 Ethan Ramos 11–7 January 1–2, 2016 2016 Southern Scuffle
Win 16–0 Brian Realbuto 14–7
Win 15–0 Mike Ottinger 4–3
Win 14–0 Fox Baldwin MD 15–6
Win 13–0 Movahedi Sohrab TF 20–2
Win 12–0 Randy Roden TF 17–1
Win 11–0 Wayne Stinson Fall December 19, 2015 Penn State - Rider Dual
Win 10–0 Ricky Robertson MD 15–2 December 19, 2015 Wisconsin - Penn State Dual
2015 Nittany Lion Open 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 174 lbs
Win 9–0 Myles Martin 4–3 December 6, 2015 2015 Nittany Lion Open
Win 8–0 Anthony Pafumi Fall
Win 7–0 Domenic Prezzia Fall
Win 6–0 Nick Stephani TF 25–8
Win 5–0 Graham Ratermann Fall
Win 4–0 Keaton Subjeck MD 12–4 November 22, 2015 Penn State - Stanford Dual
Win 3–0 Bryce Hammond Fall November 20, 2015 Penn State – CSU Bakersfield Dual
Win 2–0 Zach Epperly 6–2 November 15, 2015 Penn State – Virginia State Dual
Win 1–0 Tyler Wood TF 21–6 November 13, 2015 Lock Havon – Penn State Dual
Start of 2015–2016 Season (freshman year)

Stats

[edit]
Season Year School Rank Weigh Class Record Win Bonus
2019 Senior Penn State University #1 (1st) 197 30–0 100.00% 90.00%
2018 Junior #1 (1st) 184 31–0 100.00% 74.19%
2017 Sophomore #2 (1st) 184 26–1 96.30% 77.78%
2016 Freshman #1 (2nd) 174 33–2 94.29% 65.71%
Career 120–3 97.65% 76.77%

[26]

Submission grappling record

[edit]
3 Matches, 0 Wins, 1 Loss (1 Submission), 2 Draws
Result Rec. Opponent Method Event Division Type Year Location
Draw 0–1–2 Canada Oliver Taza Draw (time limit) UFC Fight Pass Invitational 2 Open Nogi July 3, 2022 United States Las Vegas, Nevada
Draw 0–1–1 United States Elliot Kelly Draw (time limit)
Loss 0–1 United States Gordon Ryan Submission (triangle choke) Third Coast Grappling 3 Superfight Nogi December 7, 2019 United States Houston, Texas

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[edit]
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[edit]