Despite Jacob Malkoun’s claims on social media, Bo Nickal’s management has firmly denied any plans for a UFC 302 fight in New Jersey. While fans may have been eager to see Nickal in action again after his recent victory over Cody Brundage at UFC 300, reports of a matchup with Malkoun appear to be unfounded.
Malkoun himself fueled the speculation by sharing what seemed to be an official fight announcement on Instagram, expressing gratitude to UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard and anticipating a challenging bout. However, upon investigation by MMA Mania’s Alex Behunin, it became clear that there was no substance to the supposed matchup.
In response to Malkoun’s update claiming that Nickal had pulled out of the fight, the situation became even murkier. Malkoun hinted at the possibility of rescheduling for UFC Perth, leaving fans wondering about the true nature of the situation.
Following his win at UFC 300, Nickal had expressed a desire to face tougher opponents, aiming for a fight in August against a ranked middleweight like Anthony Hernandez. He seemed uninterested in a matchup with Malkoun, indicating a preference for opponents with stronger credentials.
While the idea of a Nickal-Malkoun showdown may have generated excitement among fans, it appears that, for now, such a bout remains nothing more than speculation.
