CRAIG’S HILL CLIMB
Scot determined to come out on top
THERE is no business like the fight business for Paul Craig.
While he happily admits MMA is his job and the octagon his office, he is also ready to put on a show when he faces Jamahal Hill at UFC 263 this Sunday.
On a stacked card with two title fights and Birmingham’s Leon Edwards facing the lightning rod that is Nate Diaz, the Scottish lightheavyweight’s delayed clash with Hill could yet grab the headlines.
Craig revealed the cocky unbeaten American had “pulled out” of their original date in March after catching coronavirus.
But Hill (inset) was angry at the wording and has now called this fight personal, wanting to ensure ‘Bearjew’ is “carried out” of the cage at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Craig, who is set for his 12th fight with the company, said: “If you sign a contract for a date and you can’t make it, what would you call that?
“You have still pulled out due to an injury, due to Covid, due to unforeseen circumstances. That is still a pull out in my eyes.
“If he needs to make this ‘personal’ to fuel himself, to be a better version of himself, that is totally up to him.
“For me this is a game and this is a business. This is my job and I don’t need anything to fuel me up.
“He seems like a very emotional person. Everything is ‘personal’ to him. He spends a lot of time doing social media and interviews, talking a lot of trash.
“I imagine our weigh in, face to face, will be pretty explosive. It is going to get the better of him, with loads of fans there, and he is just going to get emotionally involved and erupt, which should be fun!
“First and foremost, our sport is entertainment – and you must entertain the fans. With fans back, I will use that energy to get a victory. I like to do the face paint, I like to do all the pageantry. I love that.”
Having been in the UFC since 2016, Craig has steadily risen to prominence, the 33-year-old securing a win over MMA legend Mauricio Rua last time out to crack the top 15.
Now he is looking to accelerate up the rankings and push his title credentials.
Craig added: “I in their draw last December. FINAL SAY “If you give a mouse a way out, they’re going to run away. It’s my fault.” Wales’ Mason Jones after his clash last weekend with Alan Patrick was declared a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. have been in this sport for a long time now and have been a gatekeeper. I am the guy you have to beat to prove yourself in the UFC.
“I was outside the top 15 for a long time, but it is 2021 and I need to push up those rankings and get a top-five spot.
“Heading into 2022, I am looking to get title shots, looking to be a contender rather than just a ‘UFC fighter.’”