Bo Nickal vs Shirvani Muradov - NCAA Greatness vs Olympic Gold

Bo Nickal and Shirvani Muradov have faced almost anybody within a two weight class stretch and have somehow never met. At RAF MOSCOW that changes when one of Russia’s favorite Olympic Gold Medalists meets one of America’s most decorated NCAA National Champions.

After surpassing one of his country’s most celebrated wrestlers of all time, Shirvani Muradov would give Russia another gold medal. After 174-pound NCAA National Champion Matt Brown graduated, Bo Nickal would go on to lead one of the most storied careers in the decadent history of college wrestling. At RAF MOSCOW they finally meet.

Before the 2008 Olympic games had even begun, Shirvani Muradov had his work cut out for him just to make it to Tokyo. Khadzhimurat Gatsalov had represented Russia and won gold at the 2004 Olympics and appeared to be unstoppable after following that up with three consecutive World titles. With only a European title to his name at the time, Muradov would upset Gatsalov for the final spot on the Olympic roster.

Where it appeared that Muradov simply upset his competition and eliminated Russia’s guaranteed Olympic medal, he would make good on his roster spot by winning all four matches in the games by a combined score of 12-2.

Thanks to injuries, he all but left wrestling behind over a decade and a half ago but his chapter could never be left out of the story of Russian wrestling and now he’s back for one more push at the sport he stood atop of years ago.

Bo Nickal stepped into one of the most star-studded NCAA Wrestling lineups of all time in the upswing of one of the greatest dynasties in collegiate sports history.

He joined and would almost immediately headline an NCAA roster that would feature one of the most impressive murderer’s row of starters in the history of the sport. Barely falling short in his freshman year, Nickal would go on to win three NCAA National titles and give wrestling fans one of the greatest storylines and rivalries in college wrestling history with Myles Martin.

Nickal would have a reign dominant enough to transcend his sport. Football players, basketball players and fighters all wanted to be like Bo.

Veering away from wrestling to pursue a career in MMA until RAF caught his attention Nickal would never face Muradov until 2026. Now we get a legacy matchup that could either be a perfect match for Muradov to announce his return with or ride off into the sunset with. For Nickal it represents a chance to collect the skull of yet another man who has reached the highest highs in the sport he was the face of.

For Muradov, the key to victory will be to take a page out of Max McEnelly’s playbook. Never let Nickal get a clean finish. Nickal is reliant on separation, sharpen the defense and counters and the victory just may go the Russian’s way.

For Nickal, as long as he continues to move laterally and pressure immediately it could be another short night at the office for Nickal. His explosive movements mixed with mat-rust could lead to another highlight reel finish for the Penn State Nittany Lion.

Catch Bo Nickal vs Shirvani Muradov LIVE at RAF MOSCOW, Saturday, September 5!