Bo Nickal to Wrestle 2026 NCAA Champion Max McEnelly at Real American Freestyle Event in Cleveland

Bo Nickal and Max McEnelly are scheduled to wrestle at light-heavyweight during Real American Freestyle 12 on August 22 in Cleveland. The bout marks McEnelly's debut in the promotion. He won the 2026 NCAA championship at 184 pounds for the University of Minnesota after defeating Rocco Welsh 4-3 in the final at Rocket Arena, the same venue that will host RAF 12.

Nickal last competed for RAF at its debut event, where he captured the inaugural light-heavyweight title before being stripped of it earlier this year when the weight class maximum increased from 205 to 215 pounds. He most recently fought in the UFC, defeating Kyle Daukaus by TKO at Freedom 250.

Nickal, a three-time NCAA champion and four-time finalist for Penn State, first called out McEnelly on Twitter in March, proposing a match at 190 pounds.

Nickal responded that he liked the younger wrestler. McEnelly placed third at the 2025 NCAA Championships in Philadelphia. Real American Freestyle events stream exclusively on FOX Nation.