Overview
- The finish came at 2:24 of Round 3, capping a bout in which Nickal steadily built momentum before landing the decisive high kick.
- Nickal outstruck Vieira 94–31 and stuffed all six of the Brazilian’s takedown attempts, controlling range and clinch sequences.
- The result moved Nickal to 8–1 as a pro, while Vieira fell to 11–4.
- The matchup served as the featured preliminary bout at Madison Square Garden in New York.
- Nickal climbed the cage and flipped off the MSG crowd after the knockout, as fighters and pundits praised the statement win, with Henry Cejudo saying he “silenced all the doubters.”