Bo Nickal finds new UFC 290 opponent after Gore withdrawal
Bo Nickal’s fight at UFC 290 is back on track as a replacement opponent has been found.
After Tresean Gore was forced to withdrawal from the card due to injury, Nickal anxiously awaited news on a new opponent. It has been confirmed that undefeated prospect Val Woodburn has stepped up to accept the challenge.
Multiple sources familiar with the promotion’s plans have revealed that verbal agreements are in place from both fighters. Marcel Dorff initially reported the matchup on Twitter.
🚨🚨Fight Saved🚨🚨
Bo Nickal (4-0) stays on #UFC290. He takes on undefeated late replacement Val Woodburn (7-0) this Saturday in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/ByDsra8Lpl
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) July 4, 2023
Originally slated to compete on the upcoming season of Dana White’s Contender Series in August, Woodburn will now have the opportunity to make his UFC debut in a high-stakes fight against one of the most promising prospects in the sport’s history. With a record of 7-0, Woodburn has secured five finishes in his professional career and even holds the Combat Night MMA middleweight title.
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Meanwhile, Nickal, a three-time NCAA wrestling champion from Penn State, boasts an impeccable fighting record of 4-0. Making his UFC debut in March, he quickly dispatched Jamie Pickett with a first-round arm-triangle choke submission.
Val Woodburn will step in to face Bo Nickal at #UFC290 this Saturday.
(per: @BigMarcel24)
• (7-0)
• Combat Night Pro Middleweight Champion
• 5 knockouts
• 2 decision wins pic.twitter.com/QMvlKYJVoo— Combat Sports Today 📰 (@CSTodayNews) July 4, 2023
Initially scheduled to kick off the main card of the UFC 290 pay-per-view, it is unclear whether the bout order will be altered with the new opponent in place. Fans can look forward to an exciting clash between Nickal and Woodburn on fight night.
With this fight only just being developed no odds are available with the UFC betting sites for this fight.