The accomplished athlete has officially joined Hulk Hogan’s Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling league, marking a significant shift as he adds professional wrestling to his already impressive sports résumé. His first appearance with RAF is scheduled for August 30 in Cleveland, Ohio, where he’ll step into the spotlight in this new competitive arena.
Nickal shared details about this move during an appearance on *The Ariel Helwani Show*, expressing his excitement and explaining the motivation behind the decision. “The news is I’m going to be pursuing something new, pursuing something different that’s maybe a little bit foreign to a lot of the MMA fans that listen to this show,” Nickal said. He went on to explain that while wrestling may be seen as lesser-known to some MMA audiences, it remains a foundational discipline within mixed martial arts. “There’s this lesser-known sport called wrestling… and I’m going to throw my hat in the ring and be doing some professional wrestling matches with Real American Freestyle,” he added.
Real American Freestyle is a newly formed wrestling league that aims to elevate competitive wrestling to a professional level and provide elite athletes a platform to showcase their talents to a wide audience. According to RAF’s mission statement, the organization seeks to “professionalize competitive wrestling and create a platform for elite athletes to compete in front of millions of fans.” It positions itself as the first unscripted pro wrestling league, a major distinction from the choreographed formats traditionally associated with pro wrestling.
The league was co-founded by wrestling coach Israel Martinez, former WCW executive Eric Bischoff, and wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, who also serves as RAF’s commissioner. Hogan publicly welcomed Nickal to the league, praising his athletic abilities and achievements. “Bo Nickal is a tremendous athlete and one of the most accomplished wrestlers on the planet,” Hogan stated. “Nickal immediately elevates the RAF roster to new heights with his competitiveness and experience. When fans attend an RAF event they know they’re going to see the best of the best on the mat.”
Several matchups are already confirmed for the August 30 event, and anticipation is building around Nickal’s debut with the league. Despite stepping into this new wrestling venture, Nickal clarified that his commitment to MMA and the UFC remains intact. “At the end of the day, my contract with the UFC, I’m going to be fighting MMA with them, and I think at the same time there’s room for me to compete in wrestling,” he told Helwani. “I just have the fire in me to compete as much as I can.”
At 29, Nickal feels he’s entering the prime of his athletic career. “I’m 29 years old, in my prime, and I’m just fired up to compete,” he said, emphasizing his desire to stay active across multiple disciplines. His passion for wrestling clearly hasn’t faded, and this new opportunity allows him to return to his roots while still pursuing success in MMA.
Nickal has an impressive wrestling background. During his collegiate career at Penn State from 2016 to 2019, he won three NCAA national titles and three Big Ten championships. In 2019, he captured the Under-23 World Championship title, solidifying his status as one of the best amateur wrestlers of his generation. After transitioning to MMA, Nickal quickly gained recognition for his dominance in the octagon, amassing a 7-1 professional record. His only loss came recently, in May, when he faced Reinier de Ridder.
Nickal’s involvement with RAF reflects a growing trend among athletes looking to diversify their careers by participating in multiple sports. For Nickal, it’s about more than just competition—it’s about passion, purpose, and pushing personal boundaries. With his credentials and drive, his move into professional freestyle wrestling is expected to draw considerable attention and raise the profile of Real American Freestyle in the months to come.
