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BO NICKAL VS VAL WOODBURN FACTS
When is UFC 290? Sunday 9th July, 2023 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 290? T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 290? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 290
What channel is UFC 290 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 290? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
BO NICKAL VS VAL WOODBURN LOWDOWN
One of the hottest prospects in the UFC right now Bo Nickal (4-0) returns for his second fight on the big stage. The decorated wrestler has steamrolled through everyone so far knocking out John Noland (2022) for Jorge Masvidal’s iKon FC and submitting Zachary Borrego (2022) and Donovan Beard (2022) on the Contender series to earn the inevitable call-up. He met Jamie Pickett for his debut back in March and made quick work of him notching another first-round submission.
He was preparing for Tresean Gore who unfortunately tore a ligament in his wrist. Thankfully, a brave replacement has stepped up in Val Woodburn (7-0). He has fought his whole professional career for the Combat Night promotion in Florida boasting five knockouts on the record, but his competition is nothing to write home about.
BO NICKAL VS VAL WOODBURN PREDICTION
Woodburn is being led to the slaughter, but you have to give him credit for taking on the bogeyman of the middleweight division. Nickal is unproven at this level with only four fights in the book. However, his wrestling pedigree alone will get him far in the division.
The wrestler is a colossal favourite and expected to ragdoll Woodburn around before deciding whether to rain down the ground-and-pound or creating a submission. He will likely do both and although his jiu-jitsu is unpolished, we expect him to pick up another submission.
That said, Woodburn is an incredibly explosive striker. He has to be a knockout threat against someone who is so inexperienced in the cage. Woodburn is also strong in the clinch, but that will be a death sentence.
Prediction: Nickal via Submission
Value bet: Woodburn via KO/TKO
