Luke Rockhold has some strong opinions about up-and-coming UFC fighter Bo Nickal, whom he doesn’t consider a true fighter.
Nickal (7-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) faced criticism from the MMA community following his first career loss to Reinier de Ridder at UFC on ESPN 67 over the weekend.
Joining the chorus of critics, former UFC middleweight champion Rockhold didn’t hold back in his assessment of Nickal.
“This kid Bo ‘Nicole’ is pretty disappointing,” Rockhold told Submission Radio. “He talked a big game but seemed to be looking for a way out from the beginning. He should just keep quiet. Bo seemed to give up like a coward. It was sad to see someone who talked so confidently show such weakness. There’s a difference between competitors and fighters. This kid is not a fighter. He’s a competitor, and deep down, he’s a coward.”
When asked for advice for Nickal, Rockhold expressed doubt that the talented wrestler has what it takes to excel in the world of elite fighting.
“Man up, red-headed stepchild,” Rockhold remarked. “He just doesn’t have what it takes. Even if he focused on wrestling, he lacks the skills to dominate on the ground. The level of competition at the top is on a different plane.”