LAS VEGAS – Paul Craig is gearing up for his UFC Fight Night 232 main event matchup against Brendan Allen, confident that it won’t play out as anticipated.
Both Craig (17-6-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) and Allen (22-5 MMA, 10-2 UFC) are skilled grapplers, sparking assumptions that their fight would revolve around grappling, but Craig begs to differ.
He states, “This is one of those battles where people say, ‘It’s going to be a grappling battle’ – I don’t believe that. I believe this battle is very much going to be a stand-up battle. Who is going to control the distance? Who is going to control the octagon? Then from that, who is going to capitalize with these heavy shots. Imposing damage, imposing will, and from that, it’ll be then ended on the ground. It’ll be won on the feet, ended on the ground.”
Craig is confident that if the fight becomes a stand-up affair, he’ll thrive. He knows his true capabilities and aims to demonstrate them against Allen.
Speaking of his move down to 185 pounds in July, Craig expressed optimism saying, “I believe I’m in the mix. I’ve been given an opportunity, but what you can’t do, is look past your opponent who is standing in front of you. … So I need to be focused on Brendan Allen.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 232.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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