Bo Nickal to Wrestle Olympic Champion at RAF: Moscow

UFC's rising star Bo Nickal is set to join the RAF: Moscow event, facing an exceptionally formidable opponent.

The RAF organization announced on Tuesday that Nickal will go head-to-head with Olympic wrestling champion Shirvani Muradov. The bout is scheduled for the upcoming RAF event in Moscow on September 5th, which features a main event clash between Khamzat Chimaev and Tyron Woodley.

Nickal, a UFC middleweight contender, recently returned to his wrestling roots with RAF. He defeated Jacob Cardenas at the organization's inaugural freestyle wrestling event in August. His subsequent matchup with MMA veteran Yoel Romero fell through, but Nickal already has a scheduled bout against 2026 NCAA champion Max McEnelly at RAF 12 on August 22nd, before he takes on Muradov.

Before transitioning to mixed martial arts as one of the sport's most touted prospects in recent years, Nickal secured three consecutive NCAA Division I wrestling championships. He currently holds a 6-1 record in the UFC, with his latest victory coming via first-round knockout against Kyle Daukaus at UFC White House.

Muradov will be making his RAF debut. He is a freestyle wrestling gold medalist in the 96 kg category, representing Russia.