Bo Nickal Says Gable Steveson Threatened Him at RAF Event

Bo Nickal says Gable Steveson threatened to knock him out during a confrontation at a Real American Freestyle event earlier this year, the latest flashpoint in a feud between the two former NCAA Division I wrestling champions.

Nickal detailed the run-in during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, explaining that he approached Steveson directly after growing tired of hearing him talk down on him in interviews.

"I went up to him, asking him why he was talking crazy about me," Nickal said. "We come from the same background, and we should prop each other up, I've said nothing but kind things about him in the media... he said, 'I'll knock you out.'"

Nickal didn't back down, telling Steveson he lacks the experience to handle real striking exchanges. "I said, 'You have no defense. You're not experienced enough to understand how to get away from these strikes,'" Nickal said. "Then boom, however many weeks later, Gable got knocked out."

Why This Feud Has Been Building

Bo Nickal and Gable Steveson entered MMA on nearly identical paths, both coming off NCAA titles in the Big Ten before signing with the UFC amid heavy hype. That shared background is exactly why Nickal says the friction stings. He's publicly praised Steveson in the past, only to be met with what he describes as a dismissive, cold tone from the heavyweight whenever Steveson is asked about him.

Steveson's stock took a hit with a shocking knockout loss at UFC 331, a result Nickal referenced pointedly when recounting their exchange. Nickal, for his part, still has questions to answer about his own ceiling in the middleweight division, something he'll get a direct test of when he meets surging contender Joe Pyfer in the UFC Cleveland main event in February.

What This Means for Nickal's Next Fight

Nickal heading into a heated rivalry storyline while preparing for Joe Pyfer is notable because Pyfer represents arguably the stiffest style test of Nickal's career so far. Pyfer hits hard, pressures from the opening bell, and has made a habit of exposing gaps in opponents' durability. Nickal's comments about Steveson lacking striking defense read almost like a preview of how he plans to approach his own fight, betting on wrestling control and composure over standing toe to toe.

For bettors, the Steveson subplot doesn't move the line on Pyfer vs. Nickal, but it does add context to how Nickal is framing himself publicly: as the more complete, more disciplined mixed martial artist between himself and Steveson. Markets will care less about social media jabs and more about whether Nickal's grappling pace can neutralize Pyfer's power, which figures to be the central question once UFC Cleveland odds take shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Bo Nickal say about Gable Steveson?

Bo Nickal said Gable Steveson threatened to knock him out during a confrontation at a Real American Freestyle event earlier this year, which he detailed on The Ariel Helwani Show.

Who is Bo Nickal fighting next?

Bo Nickal is scheduled to face surging middleweight contender Joe Pyfer in the main event of UFC Cleveland in February.

Why is there tension between Bo Nickal and Gable Steveson?

Both fighters came up through Big Ten NCAA wrestling before transitioning to the UFC, but Nickal says Steveson has repeatedly dismissed him in interviews despite Nickal speaking positively about him.