Bo Nickal is set to face one of the toughest wrestling challenges of his career as the rising UFC middleweight contender prepares for a showdown with Olympic gold medalist Shirvani Muradov at RAF Moscow.
Real American Freestyle (RAF) officially announced the matchup on Tuesday, confirming that Bo Nickal will take on Muradov at the promotion’s Sept. 5 event in Moscow. The card will be headlined by a blockbuster clash between former UFC champions Khamzat Chimaev and Tyron Woodley.
The promotion unveiled the matchup with the following announcement:
“3x NCAA Champ and Dan Hodge Trophy winner Bo Nickal will face Olympic Champ Shirvani Muradov SEP 5 at RAF MOSCOW.Watch live on @foxnation in the U.S. Additional international broadcast details to be announced.”
The upcoming bout marks another major step in Bo Nickal’s return to competitive wrestling while he waits for his next UFC assignment.
Nickal is already scheduled to compete at RAF 12 on Aug. 22, where he will face 2026 NCAA Division I champion Max McEnelly. Just two weeks later, he’ll travel to Russia to square off against Muradov, giving him two high-profile wrestling matches in less than a month.
The former Penn State standout remains one of the most decorated wrestlers to transition into mixed martial arts. Before joining the UFC, Nickal captured three NCAA Division I national championships and won the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy, establishing himself as one of the sport’s elite competitors.
Since making the move to MMA, Bo Nickal has largely lived up to the hype. He currently holds a 6-1 UFC record and is coming off a first-round knockout victory over Kyle Daukaus at UFC Freedom 250.This won’t be Nickal’s first appearance under the RAF banner.
The UFC star competed at the inaugural RAF event in August 2025, where he earned a points victory over Jacob Cardenas. A planned matchup against former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero later fell through, but Nickal has remained committed to competing in freestyle wrestling whenever his UFC schedule allows.
Since his RAF debut, Bo Nickal has picked up two UFC victories while continuing to sharpen the wrestling skills that made him one of the most sought-after prospects in combat sports.
While Nickal enters the contest with momentum, Muradov presents a significant challenge.The 41-year-old captured Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing Games in freestyle wrestling at 96 kilograms (approximately 212 pounds) while representing Russia. His extensive international experience makes him one of the most accomplished opponents Nickal has faced in a wrestling match.
Muradov will be making his RAF debut, but his credentials speak for themselves. Although he gives up more than a decade in age to the 30-year-old Nickal, his championship pedigree ensures this will be anything but an easy assignment.
For Bo Nickal, the matchup represents another opportunity to prove himself against world-class competition outside the Octagon.
The UFC contender has repeatedly stated his desire to remain active in wrestling while continuing his MMA career, and RAF has provided him with the perfect platform to do exactly that.
With a showdown against Max McEnelly already booked and an Olympic champion waiting just weeks later, Nickal is staying as busy as ever.
If he can add victories over both opponents, it would further strengthen the growing reputation of Bo Nickal as one of the most accomplished wrestlers currently competing in mixed martial arts.
RAF Moscow takes place on Sept. 5 and will stream live in the United States on Fox Nation. The event will feature Bo Nickal’s highly anticipated clash with Shirvani Muradov, alongside the headline-grabbing matchup between Khamzat Chimaev and Tyron Woodley.
