Paul Craig had a successful UFC middleweight debut at UFC Fight Night 224 in London.
Paul Craig had a successful UFC middleweight debut at UFC Fight Night 224 in London. But he isn’t ready to leave the light heavyweight division behind just yet. On Saturday, Craig stepped into the Octagon at The O2 and secured an impressive victory over ranked contender Andre Muniz showcasing his skills at 185 pounds.
Craig sees his move to middleweight as the beginning of a new chapter in his career rather than the end of his time at 205 pounds. In the post-fight news conference, Craig made it clear that he plans to compete in both weight classes chasing title opportunities wherever they may come.
“We aren’t done at light heavyweight, and we’re just starting at middleweight,” Craig asserted. “We will do both. It’s where the fights are. If the fights are at light heavyweight, then we’ll take it.”
Having already earned victories over top fighters like Jamahal Hill and Magomed Ankalaev in the light heavyweight division. Craig believes he can continue to excel in both weight classes. He also mentioned his victory against Nikita Krylov demonstrating his confidence in his abilities across the two divisions.
The 34-year-old fighter acknowledged that managing weight for two different divisions might present challenges for some. But he’s confident that he and his team are up to the task. Craig emphasized the importance of having a strong support system to handle the science of weight management effectively.
“From the science point of view, it’s not difficult at all,” Craig explained. “If you’re going in here without a team, and you’re just doing it on your own, then you’re leaving it up to chance. Then it’s going to be difficult. But as long as you have a good team who are all doing their jobs, and they’re all pulling their weight, (it’s not difficult).”
Craig’s belief in his team is evident as he highlighted their role in making the transition between weight classes smoother. Training partners, coaches, and mentors are all essential in supporting Craig’s journey. And he values the camaraderie and assistance they provide.
With aspirations of holding a UFC title before his career comes to an end. Craig is determined to make the most of the opportunities in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. He recognizes that the path might not be easy,but he’s ready to face the challenges and work hard to achieve his goals.
For more UFC news and updates
Read: UFC Fight Night 224 results: Tom Aspinall’s stunning TKO victory
Read: UFC Fight Night 224: Preview, Prediction, Where to Watch, Venue, and Tickets
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