Paul Craig believes Bo Nickal is missing key MMA expertise forward of the pair’s bout on Saturday.
The Scottish middleweight is a heavy underdog going into the pair’s bout on Saturday evening at UFC 309.
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Craig was knocked out by Caio Borralho in his final octagon, however the UFC veteran additionally has victories over a few of the greatest names in Dana White’s roster.
Nickal, in the meantime, is on the alternative finish of the spectrum by way of his MMA profession, having solely made 5 appearances within the UFC.
He emerged via White’s Contender Sequence in 2022, earlier than successful his following three UFC bouts and rising in reputation on account of his expertise and submission expertise.
The 28-year-old has completed 4 of his 5 UFC opponents by means of submission with three of these wins coming within the first spherical.
“He clearly has the wrestling credentials, however as an MMA fighter, I imagine that he is missing in a number of areas,” Craig advised talkSPORT.com solely.
“His putting is sweet, very explosive, very highly effective. However does he have the extent of jiu-jitsu that I’ve? I do not imagine he has. And I imagine that is how I’ll win on Saturday evening within the MSG.”
UFC 309 has Jon Jones defending his heavyweight title in opposition to Stipe Miocic, with Britain’s Tom Aspinall the official back-up fighter for the principle occasion conflict.
The returning Michael Chandler takes on Charles Oliveira in what is ready to be a mega five-round co-main occasion at New York’s iconic Madison Sq. Backyard.
UFC legend Jim Miller additionally options on the cardboard as he faces Damon Jackson in what can be his 57th skilled MMA bout.
Miller has the file for essentially the most fights and wins in UFC historical past, having gained 26 of his 44 whole bouts in White’s promotion.
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“You’ve got received a younger man, Bo Nickal, who’s unbeaten in combined martial arts, has these wrestling credentials,” Craig added.
“And all I have to do is beat him. I make it sound simple by simply saying beat him, however I do imagine that I’ve the talents, the attributes, the drive, the dedication, the starvation.
“We take a look at his earlier fights throughout the UFC, he is steamrolling guys. He is beating them throughout the first spherical. However what that’s, is he is not getting sufficient expertise, not sufficient ring time.
“Now you will be within the fitness center and you may be doing all of the coaching that you just need to do and achieve as a lot expertise there. However it’s not being within the octagon. It isn’t the identical – in case you’ve had sufficient within the fitness center, you possibly can stop.
“Not solely that, he is this American man who all people’s proven love and respect for. Even the US president goes to be there for him.
“Now he is received the strain of he must carry out. I am coming in with no strain. I am the man that everyone thinks goes to lose.
“So there isn’t any strain on me. All I’ve to do is defy odds and I am down with that. I’ve carried out it many instances earlier than.”
Craig submitted Henrique da Silva on his UFC debut eight years in the past in December 2016.
Seven months later he was knocked out by Khalil Rountree Jr, who contested for the UFC gentle heavyweight title in opposition to Alex Pereira in October.
Craig additionally has wins in opposition to some large names within the UFC.
He upset Jamahal Hill in June 2021 earlier than the American went on to turn into the sunshine heavyweight champion final January.
Craig additionally submitted Magomed Ankalaev in March 2018 and the latter is now prone to contest Pereira because the No.1 gentle heavyweight title contender.
“While you take a look at my entire profession, I’ve by no means been the canine within the struggle,” Craig added.
“I’ve by no means been the favorite and it is by no means affected how my end result has been. That is what I’ll showcase on Saturday.
“I imagine I am coming in at my prime to beat this man and although the bookmakers and all of the pundits and all people that is concerned throughout the world of combined martial arts are saying that he will be the subsequent man, I do imagine that I can take that zero from him come Saturday.”
UK followers can watch UFC 309’s major card from 3am GMT this Sunday dwell on TNT Sports activities Field Workplace.