Rodolfo Vieira Considers Future Bo Nickal Matchup, Concentrates on UFC Vegas 102

Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert Rodolfo Vieira is open to a future bout with wrestling prodigy Bo Nickal, but his current focus lies solely on his upcoming fight at UFC Vegas 102. Vieira, set to face Andre Petroski on Saturday, acknowledges the appeal of a potential clash with Nickal but emphasizes the importance of taking things one step at a time.

Vieira’s last appearance in the octagon resulted in a first-round submission victory over Armen Petrosyan. The Brazilian fighter was offered a matchup with Nickal for UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, but declined due to ongoing recovery from a wrist injury that required surgery.

Discussing the potential Nickal fight, Vieira stated, “It’s a significant matchup. However, I prefer not to look beyond my current opponent. After this fight, assuming all goes well, I’ll consult with my team and manager about future plans.”

Vieira praised Nickal’s abilities, noting his evolution in striking and high-level wrestling. He also revealed that they had trained together briefly in Orlando, giving him insight into Nickal’s jiu-jitsu skills.

For his UFC Vegas 102 bout, Vieira has adapted his training to prepare for Petroski, a southpaw with formidable striking. While submission remains his primary goal, Vieira acknowledges the need for a well-rounded approach against Petroski’s unpredictable style.

“I’ve had to work extensively on various aspects of my game,” Vieira explained. “This camp involved more focus on takedowns, both offensive and defensive, as well as ground defense. I’ve evolved in multiple areas to prepare for this fight.”