Paul Craig on UFC 309: Jiu-Jitsu, Spiderman, and Facing Bo Nickal

Scottish mixed martial artist Paul Craig is gearing up for a significant bout against Bo Nickal at UFC 309, scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York. Craig, known for his impressive jiu-jitsu skills, expressed his excitement about the upcoming fight, highlighting that he is more thrilled about the possibility of fighting in front of Tom Holland, the actor who plays Spiderman, than in front of Donald Trump.

Craig’s opponent, Bo Nickal, is an undefeated fighter and a friend of Donald Trump, who might attend the event. However, Craig remains focused on his performance, emphasizing that his primary objective is to execute his game plan effectively. He noted that while having a figure like Trump in attendance would be a notable story, his main concern is the fight itself.

Craig has a strong jiu-jitsu background, which he believes will be crucial in his fight against Nickal. He pointed out that Nickal’s reliance on wrestling could be his downfall, as MMA incorporates multiple disciplines. Craig has a history of finishing fights from the bottom position, including victories over former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill and top contender Magomed Ankalaev.

Despite being a significant underdog with odds of +700 against Nickal’s -1100, Craig is confident in his abilities. He has adjusted his strategy since moving down to the middleweight division, leveraging his range and length to his advantage. This approach was successful in his middleweight debut against Andre Muniz, and he aims to replicate it against Nickal.

At 36 years old, Craig is in the latter stages of his career and is seeking to create memorable moments. He expressed a desire to participate in the Fight Night event in London next March and is looking forward to the thrill of competing in iconic venues like Madison Square Garden.