Despite his recent retirement, Jon Jones has been offered a left-field matchup by UFC prospect, Bo Nickal.
Faltering for the first time in his combat career earlier this year, amateur wrestling ace Nickal has been the punchline for jokes when it comes to emerging prospects in the UFC.
Failing to deal with the talents of ex-ONE Championship star, Reinier de Ridder, Nickal would fall to a one-sided second round knockout at UFC Des Moines earlier this month.
And set for a return to his former wrestling stomping grounds, Nickal has a rather interesting proposition for former UFC kingpin, Jones.
Bo Nickal challenges Jon Jones to wrestling match at 230lbs this year
Penning terms on a deal to compete under the Hulk Hogan-backed RAF Wrestling banner, Nickal is set to slow down the pace following his first defeat in the Octagon.
And yet to book his first opponent in his return to the mats, the three-time NCAA Division 1 gold medal winner has issued a challenge to the now-retired Jones. Namely, a clash of wrestling styles — at a weight no heavier than 230lbs.
“I’m ready to go with anyone,” Nickal told Uncrowned this week. “I love it — Jon Jones versus Bo Nickal. He’s a little big. I’ll meet him at 230 [pounds] or something.
“It’s friendly — that’s the thing about wrestling that’s cool,” Nickal added. “It’s not like you’re punching each other in the face. You can just compete — I scrap with my buddies every day. …He (Jones) might politely bow out [of a wrestling match] as the greatest of all-time.”
Jon Jones’ amateur wrestling success
Himself no slouch on the mats either, Jones — a look-see-do fighter — employed those grappling skills to great success during his Octagon run.
Taking down opponents on a staggering 45 separate occasions during his UFC pomp, Jones himself was only put on his back twice in his run; against both rivals, Daniel Cormier and Alexander Gustafsson.
Back in 2005, long before his MMA career took hold, Jones also won his highschool wrestling state final at just 17 years of age.
The following year, Jones placed first in the NJCAA Championship in his native Rochester, representing Iowa Central CC as a freshman.
And with his career in combat sports now in the books officially, a return to submission grappling or wrestling may offer Jones a chance to scratch that competitive itch still.