Overview
- Nickal vs. Vieira is set for Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden as the featured preliminary bout on the UFC 322 card.
- After a TKO loss to Reinier de Ridder in May, Nickal told media he is grateful for the setback and emphasized mental adjustments and renewed focus.
- Sportsbooks list Nickal as the betting favorite, with lines around -200 at DraftKings after opening in the -160 to -180 range.
- Vieira, a multiple-time BJJ world champion, rejected a simple wrestling-versus-jiu-jitsu narrative and said he prepared for striking and MMA as well.
- Nickal acknowledged his bout was moved from the planned main card to the prelims and noted he will headline the prelims after previously making a confident main-card claim.