Bo Dean Nickal is an American mixed martial artist. He competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight Division. The 27-year-old was a smashing success in his college wrestling career.
Here, you will know Bo Nickal’s net worth, salary, earnings, career, MMA record, wife, and more.
Bo Nickal’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bo Dean Nickal |
| Date of Birth | January 14, 1996 |
| Age | 29 |
| Education | BS in Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State Univ. |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight Class | Middleweight (185 lb) |
| Turned Pro | June 2022 |
| Net Worth | $4 million |
| Career Earnings | See table below |
| Wife | Maddie Holmberg |
| @nobickal1 | |
| X (Twitter) | @Bo_Nickal |
Early Career
Bo Nickal’s journey began on wrestling mats long before he ever set foot in an octagon. Growing up in Texas, he started formal wrestling practice at age six under his father’s guidance.
By high school he was a three-time state champion and a Fargo Junior Nationals double champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman styles. At Penn State, under coach Cael Sanderson, Nickal became a three-time NCAA Division I national champion and claimed the Dan Hodge Trophy as college wrestling’s top wrestler in 2019.
After narrowly missing an Olympic berth at the 2020 Team Trials, he turned to mixed martial arts, compiling a 2–0 amateur record in 2021 with first-round finishes in both fights.
Professional Career
Nickal made his professional MMA debut in June 2022, scoring a knockout in under a minute. Two months later he punched his ticket to the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series, submitting both opponents in the first round.
He debuted at UFC 285 in March 2023, earning a first-round arm-triangle choke and Performance of the Night honors. In July 2023 at UFC 290, he stopped Valentine Woodburn in just 38 seconds. April 2024 saw Nickal headline UFC 300 with a second-round rear-naked choke over Cody Brundage.
His fourth UFC win came by unanimous decision against Paul Craig at UFC 309 in November 2024. As of May 2025, he’s preparing for a high-stakes bout with former champion Reinier de Ridder, aiming to climb into the middleweight rankings.
Wife
Bo Nickal married fellow Penn State standout Maddie Holmberg in December 2020. Maddie excelled in track and field, earning three first-team All-American honors in the pentathlon and heptathlon, and was named USTFCCCA Mid-Atlantic Region Field Athlete of the Year twice.
After earning her bachelor’s in kinesiology and psychology and a master’s in nutritional sciences, she works as a registered dietitian. The couple announced in mid-2023 they were expecting their first child, and later that year welcomed son Ace.
Maddie often shares behind-the-scenes training glimpses on social media, helping Bo balance family life with his rigorous fight camp schedule.
Bo Nickal’s Net Worth Details
Bo Nickal’s net worth is estimated to be $4 million as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Event | Base Purse | Win Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Pickett | UFC 285 (2023) | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| Valentine Woodburn | UFC 290 (2023) | $18,000 | $18,000 |
| Cody Brundage | UFC 300 (2024) | $24,000 | $24,000 |
| Paul Craig | UFC 309 (2024) | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Reinier de Ridder | UFC on ESPN 67 (2025) | $38,000 | — |
Career Earnings
| Year | Total UFC Purse Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $60,000 |
| 2024 | $108,000 |
| 2025 | $38,000 |
Endorsements
Nickal has built a commercial profile that extends beyond his wrestling and fighting accolades. He partners with Monster Energy, supplying him with signature opportunities to appear at high-visibility events.
His apparel deal with ScrapLife taps into his wrestling roots, featuring gear that highlights his signature “no Bickal” mantra. Nutrition brand 1stPhorm provides supplements tailored to his training needs, with Maddie often sharing meal prep tips anchored by their guidance.
Jake Paul’s sports-betting platform Betr sponsors his podcast and social-media activations, while Nike supplies training apparel and cross-promotion on global platforms.
Career Stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Fights | 8 |
| Wins | 7 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Wins by Knockout | 2 |
| Wins by Submission | 4 |
| Wins by Decision | 1 |
| Losses by Knockout | 1 |
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm) |
| Average Takedowns per 15 Minutes | 11.04 |
| Takedown Accuracy | 50% |
| Stance | Southpaw |
FAQs
1. What is Bo Nickal’s wrestling background?
He began wrestling at age six, became a three-time Texas state champion in high school, and won three NCAA Division I titles at Penn State, earning the 2019 Dan Hodge Trophy.
2. How did Nickal earn his UFC contract?
After going 2–0 as a pro, he submitted two opponents in the first round on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, which led directly to his UFC deal.
3. Who manages Nickal’s sponsorship deals?
He works with sports-marketing agencies that connect him to brands like Monster Energy, ScrapLife, 1stPhorm, Nike, and the betting platform Betr, leveraging his wrestling and MMA success.
4. When did Bo Nickal become a father?
Nickal and his wife Maddie Holmberg welcomed their son, Ace, in late 2023, blending his athletic journey with fatherhood while maintaining an active fight schedule.
5. What’s next for Bo Nickal in the UFC?
He faces former champion Reinier de Ridder on a major ESPN card, aiming to break into the middleweight rankings and solidify his contender status.
