In a surprising move that has the combat sports world buzzing, UFC fighter Bo Nickal has officially signed with Hulk Hogan’s new wrestling venture, Real American Freestyle (RAF). The three-time NCAA Division I National Champion wrestler from Penn State University will make his debut on August 30, 2025, in Cleveland at the Wolstein Center at CSU, while continuing his UFC career.
This unexpected crossover represents a significant moment where a rising UFC star is actively straddling both the octagon and the wrestling mat simultaneously, rather than transitioning from one sport to another at the end of a career.
What is Real American Freestyle?
Real American Freestyle is a newly formed unscripted wrestling league founded by Hulk Hogan, who serves as Commissioner, alongside Eric Bischoff (Chief Media Officer) and Israel Martinez (COO). The concept blends the competitive authenticity of amateur wrestling with the entertainment elements that made professional wrestling a global phenomenon.
Unlike traditional professional wrestling with predetermined outcomes, RAF emphasizes genuine competition across eight men’s and four women’s weight classes. The format features nine-minute matches designed to showcase high-impact action while incorporating storytelling elements to engage broader audiences.
A key innovation in RAF’s approach is their partnership structure with UFC, USA Wrestling, NIL organizations, and NCAA, allowing athletes to participate regardless of their professional or amateur status – a crucial factor in enabling Nickal’s participation.
Why Bo Nickal’s move matters
Nickal’s decision to sign with RAF while actively pursuing his UFC career represents a significant shift in how combat athletes approach career development. On “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Nickal explained his motivation: “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… I’m 29 years old, in my prime, and I’m just fired up to compete.”
This move allows Nickal to return to his wrestling roots while continuing his promising Bo Nickal’s UFC career. Hulk Hogan expressed enthusiasm about the signing, stating: “Bo Nickal is a tremendous athlete and one of the most accomplished wrestlers on the planet. Nickal immediately elevates the RAF roster to new heights with his competitiveness and experience.”
Nickal joins other notable combat sports figures in RAF, including former UFC fighter and Olympian Ben Askren’s health battle, who has also joined the company. The inaugural event will feature matches including Real Woods vs. Darrion Caldwell and Aaron Brooks vs. Hayden Zillmer.
The bigger picture
This crossover represents a growing trend of sports stars exploring new ventures that expand their brand beyond a single discipline. For Nickal, participating in RAF could help maintain his wrestling sharpness while potentially introducing his talents to new audiences.
The sports community remains divided on whether this dual-sport approach will enhance or detract from Nickal’s UFC trajectory. Early reports suggesting disappointing ticket sales for RAF’s debut show raise questions about the venture’s long-term viability, but the innovative concept and high-profile backing certainly make it one of the more intriguing developments in combat sports.
As August 30th approaches, both wrestling purists and MMA enthusiasts will be watching closely to see if Nickal’s calculated gamble pays off, potentially creating a new blueprint for combat athletes looking to maximize their prime competitive years.
Conclusion
Bo Nickal’s signing with Hulk Hogan’s Real American Freestyle represents an innovative approach to career management in combat sports. By maintaining his UFC obligations while returning to competitive wrestling, Nickal is charting relatively uncharted territory that could influence how future athletes approach similar opportunities.
Whether this bold move elevates both his MMA career and Hogan’s wrestling venture or proves to be an unsuccessful experiment remains to be seen. One thing is certain – the combat sports landscape continues to evolve in unexpected and exciting ways.
