Former Penn State wrestling champion and current UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal has responded to recent allegations of ster*id use in college wrestling made by Myer Shapiro following the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships.
In a recent podcast, Nickal dismissed Shapiro’s claims as “classless” and lacking substance. “He made the claim and he wasn’t man enough to actually name names,” Nickal said. “He just said ‘I just know people are on ster*ids.’ It’s like bro, you’re gonna say that after you just lost? You just sound like a baby.”
Nickal, a three-time NCAA champion and Hodge Trophy winner at Penn State, emphasized that top collegiate wrestlers undergo frequent drug testing. He stated, “The reality is we’re d*ug tested quite a bit. I don’t think anybody at the top level of the NCAA is doing ster*ids. They’re just getting tested too much and there’s too big of a risk.”
The UFC star suggested Shapiro’s comments likely stem from frustration after losing. “When you’re not good enough to win, you make excuses,” Nickal said. “A lot of people that are weak-minded do that.”
Nickal did acknowledge that Shapiro had recently recovered from being in a coma, which may have impacted his performance and perception of opponents’ strength. However, he maintained that making broad, unsubstantiated claims about steroid use was inappropriate.
While condemning the allegations, Nickal praised the overall competitiveness of NCAA wrestling. He highlighted several impressive performances from the recent championships, including Wyatt Hendrickson’s upset victory over Gable Steveson in the heavyweight final.
Nickal continues his promising MMA career and remains a vocal supporter of collegiate wrestling. His comments push back against accusations that could potentially tarnish the sport’s reputation without evidence.
