Henry Cejudo: Bo Nickal needs to hold his horses, ‘maybe 10 fights away from possibly becoming UFC champion’
Henry Cejudo doesn’t think Bo Nickal is quite ready for the top after UFC 300.
Nickal (6-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) remained unbeaten when he submitted Cody Brundage (10-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC) in Round 2 of Saturday’s main card opener at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Nickal gave himself two thumbs down for his performance, but Cejudo still sees championship potential in the standout wrestler – just not right now.
“Don’t put that pressure on you, if you’re disappointed in your performance, because quite honestly, I do believe you could be a future champ at 185 pounds – but you are not ready for the top 10,” Cejudo said on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Kamaru Usman. “If they put you up against big bodies like Marvin Vettori, who have good jiu-jitsu, big dudes and could also wrestle – even a guy like Paulo ‘Borrachinha’ (Costa) … I mean, he’s not quite ready for that top 10.
“I think at 185 pounds, he needs to go three rounds. He needs to understand that threshold because still him winning and beating these guys super early, if you want to be champion, how is it going to feel when you actually go five rounds against guys like Sean Strickland, Paulo ‘Borrachinha,’ Robert Whittaker, Jared Cannonier? That weight class is absolutely stacked. I think he needs to hold his horses. I think he’s still maybe 10 fights away from possibly becoming UFC champion.”
Nickal called out Anthony Hernandez, who’s on a five-fight winning streak and ranked No. 12 in the UFC’s middleweight rankings. He is scheduled to face Roman Dolidze at UFC 302 on June 1.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.
cody-brundage-ufc-300-media-day
Share this
image
gallery
bo-nickal-ufc-300-media-day
Share this
image
gallery
cody-brundage-ufc-300-official-weigh-ins
Share this
image
gallery
bo-nickal-ufc-300-official-weigh-ins
Share this
image
gallery
cody-brundage-ufc-300-ceremonial-weigh-ins
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300-Weigh Ins
Apr 12, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC fighter Cody Brundage during ceremonial weigh ins for…
Apr 12, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC fighter Cody Brundage during ceremonial weigh ins for UFC 300 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
bo-nickal-ufc-300-ceremonial-weigh-ins
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300-Weigh Ins
Apr 12, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC fighter Bo Nickal during ceremonial weigh ins for…
Apr 12, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC fighter Bo Nickal during ceremonial weigh ins for UFC 300 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
bo-nickal-vs-cody-brundage-ufc-300-ceremonial-weigh-ins
Cody Brundage vs. Bo Nickal
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300-Weigh Ins
Apr 12, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC fighter Bo Nickal (left) faces off against Cody…
Apr 12, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC fighter Bo Nickal (left) faces off against Cody Brundage during ceremonial weigh ins for UFC 300 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal faces Cody Brundage in their middleweight fight at…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal faces Cody Brundage in their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal faces Cody Brundage in their middleweight fight at…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal faces Cody Brundage in their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300 - Nickal vs Brundage
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves)…
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300 - Nickal vs Brundage
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Cody Brundage (blue gloves) fights Bo Nickal (red gloves)…
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Cody Brundage (blue gloves) fights Bo Nickal (red gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300 - Nickal vs Brundage
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Cody Brundage (blue gloves) fights Bo Nickal (red gloves)…
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Cody Brundage (blue gloves) fights Bo Nickal (red gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal faces Cody Brundage in their middleweight fight at…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal faces Cody Brundage in their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300 - Nickal vs Brundage
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves)…
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300 - Nickal vs Brundage
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Cody Brundage (blue gloves) fights Bo Nickal (red gloves)…
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Cody Brundage (blue gloves) fights Bo Nickal (red gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300 - Nickal vs Brundage
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves)…
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300 - Nickal vs Brundage
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves)…
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300 - Nickal vs Brundage
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves)…
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300 - Nickal vs Brundage
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves)…
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300 - Nickal vs Brundage
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves)…
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300 - Nickal vs Brundage
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves)…
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage, UFC 300 1 (UFC)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal grapples with Cody Brundage during their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal defeats Cody Brundage in their middleweight fight at…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal defeats Cody Brundage in their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300 - Nickal vs Brundage
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) reacts after defeating Cody Brundage…
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) reacts after defeating Cody Brundage (blue gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 300 - Nickal vs Brundage
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) defeats Cody Brundage (blue gloves)…
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Bo Nickal (red gloves) defeats Cody Brundage (blue gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Cody Brundage looks on after being defeated by Bo Nickal…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Cody Brundage looks on after being defeated by Bo Nickal in their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Cody Brundage looks on after being defeated by Bo Nickal…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Cody Brundage looks on after being defeated by Bo Nickal in their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Cody Brundage looks on after being defeated by Bo Nickal…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Cody Brundage looks on after being defeated by Bo Nickal in their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal defeats Cody Brundage in their middleweight fight at…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal defeats Cody Brundage in their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal defeats Cody Brundage in their middleweight fight at…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Bo Nickal defeats Cody Brundage in their middleweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Share this
image
gallery
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage, UFC 300 Scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
