Penn State wrestling legend Bo Nickal is officially making his move to the octagon.

Nickal announced Thursday he’ll take part in his first-ever mixed martial arts fight next week. His debut will come when he matches up against David Conely on Friday, September 24.

I’ll be making my mma debut next Friday 9/24 on @FiteTV let’s get it pic.twitter.com/fD9knj7X8x

— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) September 16, 2021

Nickal’s fight will stream exclusively on FITE, a platform that regularly broadcasts professional wrestling and MMA matches. His debut will broadcast as part of FITE’s 8 p.m. program on September 24.

Nickal, who won three national and Big Ten titles at Penn State, had hinted at launching an MMA career for years after hanging up his collegiate singlet. Just a few weeks ago, he and a few partners officially opened a new gym in Centre County that aims to serve as a team training center and community resource.

Nickal said community support was essential in both launching his MMA career and working to bring a new training gym to the Centre region.

“I want to go back to the support the community has given me since I first got here to Penn State,” Nickal told StateCollege.com. “I wouldn’t be able to do the things I did and now moving onto a new chapter of my life with MMA, being able to get this gym put together [without it]. I appreciate the support y’all have given me so much and I’m looking forward to competing and continuing to build this area up.”

A few years back, both Nickal and former teammate Anthony Cassar said they planned on dipping into MMA once leaving college behind. These days, Cassaar is also training at Nickal’s new facility in Centre County.