UFC 290: Bo Nickal scores quick KO against Valentine Woodburn
Nickal entered UFC 290 as one of the biggest betting favorites in league history

The Bo Nickal project continues to churn out hits. The highly-acclaimed wrestler put hands on Valentine Woodburn, knocking him out in Round 1 at UFC 290 in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Nickal made good on his status as one of the biggest betting favorites in UFC history against short-notice replacement Woodburn. Nickal repeatedly stalled Woodburn with concussive blows before dropping him. The referee stepped quickly stepped in and waved off the fight at 0:38 of Round 1. It's the second-fastest stoppage of Nickal's mixed martial arts career and his first KO since debuting with UFC in March.
BO NICKAL DOES IT AGAIN!!@NoBickal gets it done in UNDER A MINUTE at #UFC290! pic.twitter.com/QDm4tUg1xW
— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023
Nickal made his transition to MMA last year after a defining career in amateur wrestling. Nickal won the Dan Hodge Trophy -- awarded to the most outstanding U.S. collegiate wrestler -- and the Big Ten Athlete of the Year in 2019. Nickal (5-0) has five first-round stoppages in his MMA career.
















