Undefeated light-heavyweight Paul Craig says the UFC finally making its debut in Scotland will inspire the next breed of Scottish MMA stars.
And last weekend's spectacular show at the Hydro in Glasgow even gave the experienced, 6-0 fighter an extra incentive to impress ahead of his clash with Northern Irishman Karl Moore at BAMMA22 in Dublin on Saturday, September 19.
Scots Joanne Calderwood, Robert Whiteford and Steven Ray all won their bouts in Glasgow, and Craig was impressed with all three. Even though the Scottish Hit Squad member has exchanged words with Dinky Ninja Fight Team (DNFT) representative Ray in the past, he reserved particular praise for the Fifer.
Airdrie man Craig tells Herald Sport: "The UFC put on an amazing show, it will inspire young fighters for sure. I was impressed by Steven Ray. I've got no problem with him personally, just with the way he went about trying to get sponsorship in the past. It made all MMA fighters look bad. But I think he deserves to be in the UFC, even more so than Robert Whiteford.
But for Craig's eight-year-old daughter Millie, there was only one real star of UFC Glasgow. Craig says: "My daughter wanted to get Joanne Calderwood's autograph and a wee picture with her, but we didn't manage to get it."
After his comments about Calderwood's DNFT team-mate, Craig jokes that he might struggle to get wee Millie the memento she wants. He says: "Maybe I will go along to the Dinky Ninja gym and see if I can get that picture and autograph. I'm sure I'll be welcomed with open arms."
Craig has never been short on confidence, and told Herald Sport more than a year ago that he had his eyes on the UFC. While he didn't get the call-up this time, he aims to be involved by the time the organisation comes back to Scotland, if not sooner.
He says: "When I knock out Karl Moor in Dublin, I will then fight for the BAMMA title later in the year. Then after I win that, I'll defend my title and the UFC will come knocking. UFC Glasgow was my target, it was a possibility. And now I'm more hungry than ever.
"I know I'm already on the UFC's radar so I've got to make sure I stay there."
Known primarily for his slick submission game, Craig says he has been working extra hard on his striking and wrestling ahead of his BAMMA debut. He says: "I'm going to knock Karl Moore out. I've got good stand-up and anyone who think I don't will find that out the hard way.
"Every fight I take is more difficult that the last and this one will be no different. But I've got confidence in my hands, my jiu-jitsu and in my whole game. I'm sparring regularly with some of the best boxers and Muay Thai guys in Scotland and I'm hanging with them."
BAMMA22 is live on Spike TV.
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