Morning Report: Daniel Cormier responds to Bo Nickal, nonetheless believes UFC shouldn’t ‘rush him into fights’

Daniel Cormier has no regrets about his commentary about Bo Nickal.

This previous weekend, Nickal picked up a tepid resolution win over Paul Craig within the featured major card bout of UFC 309. The most important betting favourite on the cardboard, Nickal out-pointed Craig over quarter-hour in a efficiency that lead Cormier and the commentary crew to counsel Nickal may not be able to face the likes of Khamzat Chimaev simply but, which in flip drew Nickal’s ire. However Cormier stands by it.

“Bo Nickal is a bit upset concerning the commentary through the combat final week,” Cormier stated on his YouTube channel. “I’ve obtained to be sincere, this one took me just a little bit abruptly, as a result of I do like Bo, and I do imagine that sooner or later he’s going to be a champion.

“Bo stated he took offense to the commentary, however I feel he’s just a little misguided,” Cormier stated. “ … I feel he might have misunderstood what I’m making an attempt to say. What I’m extra making an attempt to say on this combat is let’s not rush him into fights with individuals which are rather more skilled, rather more battle examined, rather more able to compete on the highest degree. As a result of it seems like a type of conditions the place a younger man who has proven a lot promise will get just a little bit fast-tracked. We have now seen this time and time once more, the place an athlete comes onto the scene, they accomplish that properly initially that they get overwhelmed since you don’t know what to do with him.”

Cormier and the commentary crew weren’t the one ones important of Nickal’s efficiency. The standout collegiate wrestler was the most important betting favourite on the cardboard however his lackluster effort additionally led followers to loudly boo and even begin and “overrated” chant through the bout.

For Cormier, it’s not a difficulty of being “overrated” however of improvement. Nickal is barely three years into his MMA profession and the educational curve has been steep so far.

“It’s an enormous soar from Bo’s first opponent, Val Woodburn to [Cody] Brundage to Paul Craig,” Cormier stated. “That’s how good he has executed in that quick time period that they’ve already jumped him to a man that’s overwhelmed a world champion and submitted the No. 1 contender at gentle heavyweight. It felt like a type of conditions the place Bo Nickal was going to get fast-tracked, and he would discover himself overwhelmed, in over his head, and no have the ability to assist it.

“Individuals have already began to check him to Khamzat Chimaev, how do they stack up, can he wrestle him, can he do that? That’s not an actual factor! It’s not an actual factor! I’m not saying he’s not prepared for Khamzat as a result of I don’t assume he ever might be prepared for Khamzat, proper now he simply isn’t.”

Happily, Nickal is unlikely to face Chimaev any time quickly. “Borz” is presumably subsequent in line for a middleweight title shot whereas Nickal stays exterior of the rankings at this level. And for Cormier, significantly after seeing how Nickal dealt with the response to his combat, is for the very best.

“Bo Nickal has now seen the alternative facet of fame,” Cormier stated. “I ponder how he’s going to deal with negativity coming his route. I wasn’t destructive. I’ve no drawback with Bo Nickal. I imagine he’s going to be positive. I don’t have an issue with the efficiency. I assumed he fought rather well, however there’s room for enchancment. All people stated it! Let’s simply take our time. We don’t have to rush him, that’s all I’m saying.”

And for what it’s price, Nickal appears to agree. After Cormier dropped his video, Nickal responded through social media, saying he and “DC” are on the identical web page and squashing any potential beef between the 2.

Ache. Michael Chandler says UFC 309 combat with Charles Oliveira was “probably the most ache I’ve ever been in.”

$$$$$. BKFC President David Feldman teases $25 million prize for upcoming event.

Combat. Jake and Logan Paul focus on a possible future combat between them.

Faceoff. Petr Yan reveals what he informed Deiveson Figueiredo throughout their first face off for UFC Macau.

Unhappy. Vicente Luque reacts to a different Nick Diaz combat cancellation.

Medicals. Stipe Miocic receives 60 days medical suspension following UFC 309.

Rankings. How have the newest heavyweight rankings fallen after UFC 309? Verify them out.

Petr Yan interview.

Rashad Evans interview.

UFC 309 Combat Movement.

Michael Bisping within the new Den of Thieves 2 trailer.

MixedMollyWhoppery on Tyson vs. Paul.

(Virtually) no regrets.

“Progress and maturity” says the person who modified his title to Jonny Meat.

Sensible man.

Good vibes.

Poor Gamrot.

Chris Weidman (16-7) vs. Eryk Anders (16-8); UFC 310, Dec. 7.

Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0, 1 NC) vs. Paul Hughes (13-1); PFL, Jan. 25.

Not gonna lie, type of an ick that Bo Nickal can’t simply come clean with that combat being a stinker. I imply, I perceive that fighters are all delusional, however Cormier is true: he’s not prepared. That’s no knock on Nickal, who solely has seven skilled fights, it’s only a assertion of truth. And Nickal performing like that Craig efficiency was one thing to write down residence about is off placing, for me at the very least.

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