UFC middleweight Bo Nickal was removed from his scheduled match against Yoel Romero at RAF 4, with plans to compete at RAF 5 in January, while Romero will now face Pat Downey.
UFC middleweight Bo Nickal was set to clash with Olympic silver medalist Yoel Romero at RAF 4. However, he was unexpectedly removed from the lineup.
The reason for Nickal’s withdrawal remains unclear. But fans won’t have to wait long—he’s expected to return for RAF 5 on Jan. 10 in Sunrise, Fla.
Romero will now face former Olympic hopeful Pat Downey at RAF 4. The winner will go on to challenge Nickal.
Chad Bronstein, RAF co-founder, shared, “Bo’s been with us from the start. He’s wrestling in January, and it’s a win-win whether it’s Downey or Yoel.”
Nickal previously defeated Downey at the 2020 U.S. Olympic trials. Downey, eager for a rematch, must first overcome Romero, a seasoned wrestler with victories over Olympic gold medalist Cael Sanderson.
Interestingly, the Nickal vs. Romero matchup was the brainchild of retired UFC fighter Ben Askren. “That was Ben’s dream match,” Bronstein revealed.
Working with UFC is essential as contracted athletes need permission to compete elsewhere. Other UFC veterans like Michael Chandler and Clay Guida have also stepped into RAF.
Bronstein praised the collaboration with UFC, highlighting its seamless nature. “They’ve been very good to work with,” he noted, emphasizing the family-friendly aspect of RAF.
The involvement of athletes with strong wrestling backgrounds, like Bella Mir, underscores RAF’s appeal. “It’s exciting for them to wrestle on such a big stage,” Bronstein added.