Romero says Nickal declined RAF match to protect UFC future

Yoel Romero says a planned wrestling meeting with Bo Nickal at RAF 5 in January was called off after Romero missed weight by seven pounds.

Nickal reportedly refused to proceed with the bout, which Romero believes was driven by concerns over the prospect’s burgeoning UFC standing.

Romero accepted a replacement opponent that night, NCAA champion Stephen Buchanan, and was defeated by technical fall.

Romero frames the cancellation as Nickal prioritizing career optics and future MMA opportunities over the RAF event.

The episode at RAF 5 has been discussed as a tension between wrestling priorities and MMA career management.

Romero says he still wants the matchup and hopes it can be arranged down the line.

[Source]

MMA Fighting

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