Scotland’s Paul Craig is gearing up for a middleweight showdown against undefeated American Bo Nickal at UFC 309, but he has made it clear that he is more excited by the idea of fighting in front of actor Tom Holland, aka Spiderman, than the possibility of Donald Trump attending the event. As Craig prepares for his third middleweight bout at Madison Square Garden on the prestigious Jones vs Miocic card, he shared his thoughts on the spectacle of fighting in front of high-profile figures and what really motivates him at this stage of his career.
A Unique Perspective on Fighting in the Spotlight
Paul Craig, 36, is no stranger to big moments in his career, but when it comes to the spectacle of fighting in front of famous faces, he admits that his excitement is more about the experience than the names in the crowd. With UFC 309 taking place at the iconic Madison Square Garden, the potential for Donald Trump, a friend of Bo Nickal and supporter of his fight, to attend has been floated in the media. However, Craig remains unfazed by the idea of the former president watching his fight.
“He’s not my president – he’s the President of America,” Craig told BBC Sport Scotland. Despite Nickal’s ties to Trump, Craig’s enthusiasm is clearly not tied to the presence of the controversial figure. Instead, his attention is on the task ahead: defeating Nickal and continuing his journey in the UFC.
The Real Thrill: Fighting in Front of Spiderman
In a refreshing and humble statement, Craig shared that his excitement about fighting in front of famous personalities is more rooted in his previous experiences. He recounted his thrill about fighting in front of actor Tom Holland, best known for portraying Spiderman, at UFC events in London.
“I was more excited about getting the opportunity to fight in front of Spiderman in London, [actor] Tom Holland,” Craig explained. His words highlight a different side of the fighter: one who is more invested in the joy of being part of memorable moments than the star-studded crowds at his matches.
However, Craig did acknowledge the significance of having one of the most powerful people in the world possibly sitting ringside during his fight with Nickal. “It’s kind of cool and it’s one of these stories you can tell your kids or grandkids when you’re older,” he mused. Yet, for Craig, the focus remains on the fight itself rather than who’s watching.
Craig’s Transition to Middleweight
This upcoming bout against Nickal is not just another step in Craig’s career; it is his third fight in the middleweight division after a long tenure in the light heavyweight category. While Craig has previously experienced success at light heavyweight, his decision to drop to middleweight has been a mixed one.
His debut in the new weight class resulted in a win over Andre Muniz, but subsequent losses to Brendan Allen and Caio Borralho have left him looking for redemption. Despite these setbacks, Craig has no regrets about his move to middleweight and remains focused on achieving his goals in this later phase of his career.
At 36, Craig is mindful of the limited time he has left at the highest level of competition. “The championship is slightly further out of reach and the top ten, it’s just out of reach,” he admitted. However, his focus is not solely on titles or rankings. Instead, he is now looking to create memorable moments that excite him and capture the attention of fans and fighters alike.
Beyond the Rankings: Embracing the Moment
For Craig, it’s about more than just chasing the championship. As he moves further into the twilight of his career, his priorities have shifted. It’s no longer just about climbing the ranks; it’s about embracing those “Oh my God” moments that come with fighting at legendary venues like Madison Square Garden.
“I want these fights that get me excited,” he said, speaking about his desire to create lasting memories and experiences. His determination to leave a mark on the sport is palpable as he reflects on how far he has come in his UFC journey.
His upcoming fight against Nickal, who has quickly become a star in the middleweight division, represents an opportunity to create another “wow” moment. Craig is confident that he can handle his business in the octagon and is looking ahead to potentially fighting in London for UFC Fight Night in March 2025.
The Road Ahead: A Legacy in the Making
With UFC 309 just around the corner, Paul Craig is clearly embracing every moment, not just for the accolades, but for the excitement that each fight brings. Whether it’s fighting in front of Tom Holland or potentially Donald Trump, it’s all part of the experience that Craig cherishes.
For now, his focus remains solely on Bo Nickal. After that, Craig is eager to keep pushing forward, hoping to fight in front of home fans in London and continue making the most of the twilight years of his UFC career.
