Former Strikeforce champion and veteran analyst Josh Thomson has reignited the debate around Bo Nickal’s future following his rough night at UFC 322. While many fans were shocked by Nickal’s one-sided defeat, Thomson believes the UFC’s decision to demote the young prospect from the main card doesn’t go far enough.

During his Weighing In podcast six months ago, Thomson laid out his thoughts on what the UFC should do next—and he didn’t sugarcoat it. “The way he lost… the UFC should really tell him, ‘You need to spend probably a good eight months, and you need to tighten up everything,’” Thomson said. “He’s got huge potential, but he’s not ready for top-tier competition yet.”

Thomson’s comments came after Nickal’s momentum hit a wall. Once seen as one of the UFC’s most promising middleweights, the former NCAA wrestling star was being fast-tracked toward elite competition. His standout grappling and explosive finishes had the promotion building him up as a future contender—but at UFC 322, reality struck. Against a more seasoned opponent, Nickal’s defensive holes and limited striking were exposed, leading to a decisive loss that cooled the hype almost overnight.

According to Thomson, the setback doesn’t mean Nickal’s story is over—it just means he needs time to evolve. “You can’t rush greatness,” he said. “He’s got all the tools, but you’ve got to let the kid develop before you throw him in there with killers. Give him time to rebuild, not bury him under expectations.”

Many fans echoed that sentiment, noting how other fast-tracked prospects have struggled under similar pressure. Thomson’s call for patience isn’t a knock on Nickal’s talent, but rather a push for smarter development—one that allows the fighter to grow without being overwhelmed by the spotlight.

For now, the UFC has moved Nickal to a lower-card position, signaling a course correction rather than a career reset. But if Thomson’s prediction holds, the real test will be how Nickal responds—whether he uses the time to sharpen his craft or becomes another cautionary tale of talent pushed too far, too soon.