Jon Jones and Bo Nickal had a playful wrestling session at the UFC Performance Institute this week ahead of UFC 285.
The two stars will compete at UFC 285 in Las Vegas this weekend. In the main event, Jones returns from a three-year layoff to face Ciryl Gane for the vacant UFC heavyweight championship. The fight comes after Francis Ngannou’s decision to leave the promotion, leaving the 265 lb division without a champion.
Nickal, however, is set to open up the main card in what is his UFC debut. The wrestling superstar clashes with Jamie Pickett, looking to make it four finishes from four in his MMA career.
This ordeal shouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody, considering their big personalities. Both men will almost certainly look to their grappling as a key to victory when they step inside the octagon on Saturday night.
Bo Nickal Discusses His Encounter With Jon Jones
At the UFC 285 media day, the former Penn State wrestler discussed his experience wrestling with Jones. Giving praise to the former light heavyweight champion, the 27-year-old reminisced on watching Jones when he was younger.
“[It’s] Super motivating for me. I remember probably being in the fifth, sixth grade, watching UFC events and seeing Jon Jones dismantle people.
“So to be on the same card as him is a big honour. I’m very grateful for that opportunity. I think it’s pretty cool.
“I was able to meet him yesterday at the [UFC Performance Institute].
“He tried to take me down, but I obviously stuffed that and ran around and got behind him and stuff. Again, very grateful to be on the card, and he’s definitely a guy that, his fighting style, I’d like to emulate.
“He had a pretty strong grip, but overall, it was just straight wrestling, so I had a big advantage.”
Featured image credits to @MMADIRTcom on Twitter
