In Bo Nickal’s undefeated UFC debut, the former Penn State wrestler was named ESPN’s MMA Rookie of the Year.

Nickal took care of each of his five 2023 opponents in the first round, emphasizing his MMA dominance in his rookie year.

2023 welcomed the debut of one of UFC’s hottest prospects, Bo Nickal

For more: https://t.co/Ud3tRFYhMY pic.twitter.com/oRCgK5k5pY

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 29, 2023

“Too often, a highly touted UFC prospect has lofty expectations placed on them too early, and they fail to live up to the hype,” the release read. “That doesn’t appear to be the case with Bo Nickal.”

Nickal has registered three submissions and two knockouts in the first handful of his fights, including a first-round knockout of Val Woodburn in July.

It’s just too easy for Bo Nickal pic.twitter.com/IFq40p0PGq

— Onward State (@OnwardState) July 9, 2023

“The UFC has been cautious with Nickal, slowly exposing him to higher levels of competition, but he has passed each test with flying colors,” the release said. “If Nickal can continue to prove that he is as much of a problem for opponents on the feet as he is for them on the mat, 2023 will be the first of many successful years in the MMA for the sport’s top prospect.”

The Nittany Lion will return to the ring in April to face Cody Brundage in a UFC 300 bout. Brundage is 10-5, while Nickal is 5-0. The fight is set to take place on Saturday, April 13, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.