Bo Nickal recently took the stage at Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally and recalled visiting the White House in 2019 as a collegiate wrestler with Penn State after winning the national championship. Nickal explained what his interaction with Trump was like and how this was a full-circle moment.
In 2019, Trump held a special NCAA Champions Day, during which NCAA champions from various sports were invited to the White House. Penn State’s wrestling team was among those honored after winning the wrestling championships. As one of the program’s biggest names, Nickal attended the event alongside teammates Jason Nolf, Mason Manville, and many others, and interacted with the president.
Reflecting on that moment during his speech at the president’s P.A. rally, Nickal spoke about how the president encouraged his transition from wrestling to MMA.
“I told Trump when I was done wrestling, I was gonna fight. he asked me, ‘do you need a manager?'” said Nickal (5:44)
“Fast forward 7 years; I’m fighting on the White House lawn. I look at my corner, and President Trump is right next to it. It felt to me like he was in my corner. That was so special.”
Video credit: Right Side Broadcasting Network
Nickal was part of UFC Freedom 250’s historic fight card, which took place on June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House. Nickal faced Kyle Daukaus in a middleweight bout and took home the win via first-round knockout (KO) at the 4:34 mark.
President Donald Trump Jokes That He Could Take Bo Nickal in a UFC Fight
Before inviting Bo Nickal to the stage, President Donald Trump lightheartedly claimed that he could take on the fighter in the Octagon. During his speech, he compared their physical attributes and jokingly claimed that his years of golfing experience and weight advantage could outdo Nickal’s youthful athleticism.
“I’m a similar size. I weigh more than he does, actually. Therefore, I have a tremendous physical advantage. His muscles are slightly harder and slightly younger, but I think I can do it because I’m a great athlete. He knows I’m a very good golfer,” Trump said (0:10)
The president went on to praise the wrestler-turned-MMA fighter’s historic run in the UFC and commended his knockout win.
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