I'm the first Scot to headline a UFC show but my career won't be complete until I bring them back home, says Paul Craig

Paul Craig will write his name in the UFC history books when he steps foot inside the Octagon this weekend.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Craig will become the first Scottish fighter to reach the summit Bill From one of MMA Leader cards when he faces Brendan Allen in Enough Vegas 82.

5

5

5

The magnitude of the achievement is not lost on the submission specialist, who always dreamed of the coming historic day when he began his career in mixed martial arts.

But despite his pride in being the first boxer to achieve the Scottish feat, Paul refuses to sit back and smell the roses.

“When I first started MMA, I had no idea it would take me to where I am now,” The Bearjew told SunSport.

“I started out as a fair weather coach – just a few sessions and then I discovered I was really good at it.

“And now, sitting here, as you say, we’ve probably had 11 in 10 years. Six of them in the UFC.

“And I get paid to travel the world and experience things I’ve never experienced before and leave some sort of lasting legacy in the UK and Scotland for MMA.

“And like I said, to be the first person to headline a main event as a Scot is incredible.”

This moment of reflection for the Airdrie killer will come after he headlined a UFC show in his home country, which the promotion has not visited in more than six years.

Free Bets – Best betting offers and bonuses for new customers

5

“This is the dream,” he said. “We know I had a bad experience at Hydro [in Glasgow] In my first fight

“It was down to inexperience, that’s what happened. I don’t think I’m any less of a fighter by losing the way I did.

“It was just inexperience. I never knew how to deal with emotions, I never felt part of an event like UFC Glasgow – the crowd was too big for me.

“Now as a 35-year-old man, I can go back out there and represent myself much better. I would love to have the opportunity to do that.”

The possibility of this happening soon futureHowever, it is minimal considering the UFC has made the O2 Arena in London its UK home.

Craig is keenly aware of this fact, even though he believes in the UFC the next A visit to these beaches should be a show in the ballpark.

“I would love to be in the UFC,” he said Scotland Next year in summerI love nothing more than that. But I think there is more opportunity for mixed martial arts in the UK.

“I think there is a huge opportunity to organize an event in the UK and I don’t think Scotland has the capacity to organize it.

“I think somewhere like a stadium, like Cardiff, like Tottenham – is a big thing to showcase mixed martial arts in the UK and bring more fans in the UK.

Craig added: “MMA in the UK is experiencing a bit of a resurgence at the moment.

This is the dream

Paul Craig headlines a UFC show in Scotland

“We’ve had Michael Bisping As a field, we had Leon Edwards As a field and just last weekend, we had Tom Aspinall Heavyweight insurance championship.

“It’s the right time to be at the forefront of mixed martial arts in the UK. I’m very optimistic that something big is coming [soon].

“A victory for me on Saturday, with all these players and stars lined up in their positions. It would be beautiful.

“I hope they use this in the UK and I hope it will be something special that the UFC will offer in the UK.”

Before Paul can even think about fighting in his home country or at the stadium show that seems inevitable, he must continue his ascent up the 185-pound rankings against Allen.

The longtime light heavyweight made an impressive debut in the division in July, and is feeling comfortable with the tough weight cut and his new, lean physique.

“My heart rate is going down because I’m getting fitter, oh my goodness,” he said energy The output is much better.

“Body fat, body mass, body muscle – all the things that are vital to mixed martial arts are improving.

5

“So as long as this lasts. I’ll keep pushing.”

Big fights against the likes of Roman Dolidze, Marvin Vettori and even Khamzat Chimaev It will be within Craig’s reach if Allen gets past the No. 10 seed.

But he refuses to think about what the 2024 fights will hold for him until he raises his hand.

“You never look beyond the opponent in front of you,” he said. “But you have to keep your eye on where you’re going next.”

“The next thing you want to do is get to your destination and have nowhere else to drive.

“So all these guys are in my sights. And the victory is over Allen. And as you say, he’s a very good opponent. There’s no one in the top 10 in any division of the UFC that’s slow.”

“There are easier fights that suit your style better, but Brendan Allen is a great champion striker, [a] great wrestler, [has got] Great jiu jitsu.

“But is he ready for what I have? I’m not sure. A win against him would definitely push me into that top 10 spot.”