Paul Craig believes Bo Nickal is lacking key MMA skills ahead of the pair’s bout on Saturday.
The Scottish middleweight is a heavy underdog going into the pair’s bout on Saturday night at UFC 309.
Craig was knocked out by Caio Borralho in his last octagon, but the UFC veteran also has victories over some of the biggest names in Dana White‘s roster.
Nickal, meanwhile, is on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of his MMA career, having only made five appearances in the UFC.
He emerged through White’s Contender Series in 2022, before winning his following three UFC bouts and growing in popularity due to his talent and submission skills.
The 28-year-old has finished four of his five UFC opponents by way of submission with three of those wins coming in the first round.
“He obviously has the wrestling credentials, but as an MMA fighter, I believe that he’s lacking in a few areas,” Craig told talkSPORT.com exclusively.
“His striking is good, very explosive, very powerful. But does he have the level of jiu-jitsu that I have? I don’t believe he has. And I believe that’s how I’m going to win on Saturday night in the MSG.”
UFC 309 has Jon Jones defending his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic, with Britain’s Tom Aspinall the official back-up fighter for the main event clash.
The returning Michael Chandler takes on Charles Oliveira in what is set to be a mega five-round co-main event at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden.
UFC legend Jim Miller also features on the card as he faces Damon Jackson in what will be his 57th professional MMA bout.
Miller has the record for the most fights and wins in UFC history, having won 26 of his 44 total bouts in White’s promotion.
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“You’ve got a young guy, Bo Nickal, who’s unbeaten in mixed martial arts, has those wrestling credentials,” Craig added.
“And all I need to do is beat him. I make it sound easy by just saying beat him, but I do believe that I have the skills, the attributes, the drive, the determination, the hunger.
“We look at his previous fights within the UFC, he’s steamrolling guys. He’s beating them within the first round. But what that is, is he’s not getting enough experience, not enough ring time.
“Now you can be in the gym and you can be doing all the training that you want to do and gain as much experience there. But it’s not being in the octagon. It’s not the same – if you’ve had enough in the gym, you can quit.
“Not only that, he’s this American guy who everybody’s shown love and respect for. Even the US president is going to be there for him.
“Now he’s got the pressure of he needs to perform. I’m coming in with no pressure. I’m the guy that everybody thinks is going to lose.
“So there’s no pressure on me. All I have to do is defy odds and I’m down with that. I’ve done it many times before.”
Craig submitted Henrique da Silva on his UFC debut eight years ago in December 2016.
Seven months later he was knocked out by Khalil Rountree Jr, who contested for the UFC light heavyweight title against Alex Pereira in October.
Craig also has wins against some big names in the UFC.
He upset Jamahal Hill in June 2021 before the American went on to become the light heavyweight champion last January.
Craig also submitted Magomed Ankalaev in March 2018 and the latter is now likely to contest Pereira as the No.1 light heavyweight title contender.
“When you look at my whole career, I have never been the dog in the fight,” Craig added.
“I’ve never been the favourite and it’s never affected how my outcome has been. That’s what I’m going to showcase on Saturday.
“I believe I’m coming in at my prime to beat this guy and even though the bookmakers and all the pundits and everybody that’s involved within the world of mixed martial arts are saying that he’s going to be the next guy, I do believe that I can take that zero from him come Saturday.”
UK fans can watch UFC 309’s main card from 3am GMT this Sunday live on TNT Sports Box Office.
