Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
READY TO RUMBLE
Inside Paul Craig’s camp
It’s been a long road to redemption for Paul “Bearjew” Craig.
The UFC star has been locked in the Scottish Hit Squad gym in Coatbridge and is now a matter of weeks away from his first competitive fight in Scotland on the biggest stage in the country – the Hydro.
The Airdrie fighter faces off against Khalil Rountree on July 16, after hundreds of hours spent training in fight camp as Craig aims to give himself the best chance to avenge his first professional loss to Tyson Pedro.
Stablemate Chris Bungard has been working as sparring partner to help Craig prepare for the Octagon showdown, and Paul added that, “if there is big sparring in the UK I’m usually there”, as he travels the country looking for the best people to lock-up with.
Paul is also set to fly across Europe to the AllStars gym in Sweden to give him the chance to go up against some of the best light heavyweights in the world.
Last week, Celtic defender Kieran Tierney dropped in before he started back for pre- season training, and helped out with body conditioning. Paul described Scotland’s Young Player of the Year as “a good lad.”
However, we may not be international footballers but the Advertiser was granted exclusive access to the UFC fight camp.
Paul said: “When talking about the fight in July a lot of people suggest that it’s just a wee while away, and that it’s coming really quickly.
“But when it comes to training sessions, which range from anywhere between four and six hours a day, three sessions a day, it’s a long time.
“We are away to Sweden as well and that will be really intense. We won’t have any distractions from the media, friends or family.
“That gives me a really tough tune- up before the fight.”
The sounds of Paul’s left and right hooks echo through the Hit Squad gym, as trainer Brian Gallacher puts him through his paces.
It’s those strikes that earned the former teacher his reputation as a knock-out artist and he will be hoping to hit hard and early inside the Hydro.
Gallacher is aiming to cut Paul’s weight with an intense regime – taking between four and six hours every day. He told the Advertiser: “We are zeroing in on the specifics just now.
“We are in an intense part of training just now before we taper down.
“We are spiking just now to try and get weight down and then we will taper down the training over the next weeks.”
Paul is determined to make his mark again and secure a huge hometown victory.
He can only see one outcome – and that is another win for Bearjew.
“I’ve been sparring with some elite fighters and elite grapplers,” he said. “And I’m ready.
“All these cogs are turning and seem to be lining up at the right time.
“It’s only going to go one way.”