Chael Sonnen believes Bo Nickal should be on a fast track to a world title shot if he gets past Kyle Daukaus at UFC Freedom 250.
Nickal is set to face Daukaus in a middleweight bout Sunday at the White House in Washington, with the event streaming on Paramount+. Nickal enters the fight with an 8-1 MMA record and a 5-1 mark in the UFC, while Daukaus holds a 17-4 MMA record and is 4-4 in the UFC.
“The world champion – I think it's time,” Sonnen said, adding, “I do think it's time. Yes, I think your record alone, the setback that RDR caused is very minor. If you look at other people's careers, I can even useIslam Makhachev, for example. He also had one setback (vs. Adriano Martins) that was a little bit unexplainable. I mean, I'm just sharing that yes, yes, the time for you and the world championship at some point in 2026 I think is very appropriate.”
Nickal, who previously lost to Reinier de Ridder in May 2025 before knocking out Rodolfo Vieira with a head kick at UFC 322, echoed Sonnen’s confidence. “I agree,” he said. “I feel like I'm ready to go. I think I'm training with the best guys in the world. I know where I'm at sparring with guys at American Top Team and proving it to myself there that I'm ready to compete at that level, and I think that it's just a matter of time. We'll make that matchup happen, and I'm going to do my thing.”
