Chael Sonnen says Bo Nickal deserves a middleweight title shot in 2026 if he wins at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday, comparing his career trajectory to Islam Makhachev’s own early stumble.
Sonnen shared the opinion in an interview on Paramount+ after Nickal asked him directly who he should call out with a win over Kyle Daukaus.
The world champion — I think it’s time. I do think it’s time. Yes, I think your record alone, the setback that RDR caused is very minor. If you look at other people’s careers, I can even use Islam Makhachev, for example. He also had one setback that was a little bit unexplainable. I mean, I’m just sharing that yes, yes, the time for you and the world championship at some point in 2026 I think is very appropriate.
Nickal bounced back from his first career loss to Rainier de Ridder with a head-kick knockout of Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 322 in November. Sean Strickland reclaimed the middleweight title from Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 last month, with a Chimaev rematch possible for later this year.