Usman: "If Nikal continues to progress, he will be among the contenders in two years' time"

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman assessed undefeated middleweight prospect Bo Nickal's prospects in the promotion.

Nickal defeated Cody Brandege by choke at UFC 300 on April 13 to improve his record to 6-0.

"If your goal is to become a champion, you have to be prepared to face a fighter like Strickland in a five-round fight sooner or later. Or Costa. Or Whittaker. Or Cannonier. You have to know how to proceed. Basically, middleweight is absolutely difficult to do well. He needs to keep his cool.

In my opinion, Bo is less than 10 fights away from a title fight. If he continues to progress at the pace he is now, in two years, Nickal will definitely be among the contenders. In about four fights he will be on that list," MMA Fighting quoted Usman as saying.

On April 13 at UFC 300, Nickal defeated Cody Brandege with a choke hold to improve his record to 6-0.

"If your goal is to become a champion, you have to be ready to face a fighter like Strickland in a five-round fight sooner or later. Or Costa. Or Whittaker. Or Cannonier. You have to know how to proceed. Basically, middleweight is absolutely difficult to do well. He needs to keep his cool.

In my opinion, Bo is less than 10 fights away from a title fight. If he continues to progress at the pace he is now, in two years, Nickal will definitely be among the contenders. In about four fights he will be on that list," MMA Fighting quoted Usman as saying.