Nickal vs Daukaus — Middleweight · UFC Freedom 250

Nickal won't get submitted, should get the takedowns he wants, control where the fight goes and win almost everywhere.

Track record: winner called in 2 of 5 resolved picks.

Nickal out-wrestles and controls Daukaus, defending submissions to advance position and winning on composure and wrestling by decision.

Track record: winner called in 3 of 5 resolved picks, 1 a perfect call.

Picks Nickal but with real hesitation — the spot on the card where he can most see an upset. Daukaus has surged with two first-round finishes since returning, while Nickal is still proving he's a complete mixed martial artist.

• Picks Nickal but flags it as the most likely upset on the card
• Daukaus riding two first-round finishes; Nickal still establishing himself

“Bo Nickal probably… but I think that could be the one where the upset is.”

Track record builds as we verify their past calls.

Wade calls it close but takes Nickal to a smart, safe decision: implement his wrestling and top game without gassing or swinging wild, and crucially without getting caught in one of Daukaus's many submissions.

• A three-round fight means fewer answers about Nickal's gas tank
• Daukaus is a dangerous submission artist with better boxing than people think
• Nickal's 'reintroduce myself' fight at middleweight

“I'm going to go Bo Nickal, decision.”

Track record builds as we verify their past calls.

He admits he wanted to pick Daukaus — better jiu-jitsu, a real sweep and submission path — but thinks Daukaus lacks the athleticism to pressure Nickal the way Rakhmonov did. He expects an early blast double, the takedown threat established, then a level-change overhand for a round-two TKO.

• Concedes Daukaus has the better jiu-jitsu and a submission path
• Notes Nickal's striking defence is poor and he's been rocked before
• Expects an early takedown to set up the overhand

“I'm going to go with Bo Nickal by round two KO.”

Track record builds as we verify their past calls.

Nickal is favoured everywhere — underrated striking plus a huge wrestling base — and the host sees him a step ahead wherever it goes. Daukaus is dangerous and well-rounded and holds his own, but the host doesn't think he beats Nickal.

• Medium confidence — wary since the de Ridder loss
• Concern: a de Ridder repeat where Nickal looks good then gets finished
• Daukaus is a finishing threat everywhere

Track record builds as we verify their past calls.

Tracy sees an early-danger test but expects Nickal to return to his wrestling roots, where he finally holds a sizeable grappling edge — unlike his recent better-grappler opponents. He thinks Nickal ragdolls and submits Daukaus, and notes the striking has visibly improved.

• First time in a while Nickal has a clear grappling advantage
• Daukaus's best chance is a no-respect early blitz
• Nickal's striking looked much improved last time out

“I'm going to go with Bo Nickal by a first or second-round submission.”

* An early read — filmed ~2 weeks out (1 Jun), before fight week.

Track record builds as we verify their past calls.

Rashad takes Nickal: although Daukaus's desire for the upset is real, Nickal simply has more tools — better stand-up plus a ground game that speaks for itself — and gets him out of there in the second round.

• Nickal has more tools standing and on the mat
• Calls it a stoppage, round 2

“I think it's a stoppage. I think Bo Nickal gets him out of the second round.”

* A former champion's pick on the UFC on Paramount+ HQ Spotlight panel.

Track record builds as we verify their past calls.

Daukaus ("Kyle Dorcas") is dangerous on the feet, breaks Nickal down with strikes and clinch work, and eventually catches him in a D'Arce ("dash") choke off a lazy takedown.

Track record: winner called in 2 of 4 resolved picks.