Bo Nickal's impressive victory over Paul Craig has set the stage for what could be a big leap in his career. As an undefeated fighter with a well-rounded skill set, a logical next step for Nickal would be to face a top-15 ranked middleweight to further test his abilities. Michel Pereira would be an intriguing matchup. Pereira, despite his ups and downs in the UFC, has shown explosive striking and a willingness to take on high-level competition. His unorthodox style and experience could provide Nickal with a challenging but winnable fight.
Nickal's grappling and pressure would likely be key in neutralizing Pereira's wild striking, but Pereira's unorthodox approach might present unique challenges, especially early in the fight. Given Pereira's mixed results, including a recent loss, this could be a good opportunity for Nickal to continue building his resume while facing a seasoned veteran.
Michel Pereira's last five fights:
* Loss to Anthony Hernandez by TKO (elbows) at UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira on October 19, 2024 (Round 5, 2:22).
* Win over Ihor Potieria by Submission (guillotine choke) at UFC 301 on May 4, 2024 (Round 1, 0:54). Performance of the Night.
* Win over Michał Oleksiejczuk by Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) at UFC 299 on March 9, 2024 (Round 1, 1:01). Performance of the Night.
* Win over Andre Petroski by TKO (punches) at UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs. Barboza on October 14, 2023 (Round 1, 1:06). Performance of the Night.
* Win over Santiago Ponzinibbio by Split Decision at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Vieira on May 21, 2022 (Round 3, 5:00). Fight of the Night.
