UFC 322: Bo Nickal Returns Against Rodolfo Vieira in Stacked New York Card
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UFC 322 features Bo Nickal’s middleweight comeback, headlined by two massive title fights. See the full fight card for November 15 in New York.
Highly touted middleweight prospect Bo Nickal is set to make his return to the octagon at UFC 322 in New York on November 15, his first bout since a knockout loss to Reinier de Ridder earlier this year. He will face a formidable opponent in Rodolfo Vieira, a fellow grappling specialist with an impressive resume. This clash of titans is just one of many explosive matchups on a card also boasting two championship bouts.
Grappling Showdown: Nickal vs. Vieira
The contest between Nickal and Vieira promises a technical masterclass on the ground. Nickal, a decorated three-time NCAA champion wrestler, has showcased his elite wrestling pedigree since entering the UFC. His opponent, Vieira, is no stranger to high-level grappling, having earned multiple grappling championships, including a gold medal at the prestigious ADCC tournament in 2015.
Vieira brings a strong recent record into this encounter, holding a 3-1 standing in his last four UFC appearances. He will be looking to build on this momentum against Nickal, who represents a significant challenge in the middleweight division.
Nickal’s Path Back After Setback
Bo Nickal arrived in the UFC with considerable fanfare, making waves after just three professional fights. He quickly established himself by securing four consecutive victories to kick off his UFC career. However, his ascent was halted in May with a knockout defeat to Reinier de Ridder, a fight that tested his mettle. His return at UFC 322 marks a crucial moment in his development as he aims to reassert his dominance.
A Deeply Talented Undercard
Beyond the headline bout, UFC 322 is brimming with compelling matchups. Middleweight contenders Roman Kopylov and Gregory Rodrigues are also slated to face off in a highly anticipated striking battle.
Another Dana White’s Contender Series standout, Baisangur Susurkaev, has also been booked for a middleweight contest against Eric McConico. Susurkaev earned his UFC contract with a decisive win on the Contender Series and made an immediate impact in his debut at UFC 319, submitting Eric Nolan.
Championship Doubleheader Sets the Stage
The evening’s main events are set to deliver championship fireworks. In the headliner, welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena will defend his title against former lightweight king Islam Makhachev, who is making his highly anticipated move up to the 170-pound division.
Complementing this blockbuster fight, Valentina Shevchenko will put her flyweight title on the line against Zhang Weili. Zhang, who recently surrendered her strawweight championship, is aiming to capture a second belt in a different weight class.
Confirmed Fights for UFC 322:
- MAIN EVENT: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
- CO-MAIN EVENT: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili
- Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates
- Erin Blanchfield vs. Tracy Cortez
- Roman Kopylov vs. Gregory Rodrigues
- Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira
- Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Eric McConico
