UFC light heavyweight Paul Craig returns to the 205 division after a rough three-fight losing skid at 185 pounds to face Rodolfo Bellato in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 106 on Saturday night.
“That move to middleweight, at the time, was a great idea. After that victory against Andre Muniz in London was incredible,” Craig told reporters on Wednesday.
“I didn’t really get a chance to get running as a middleweight. That’s because I had three high-level opponents in front of me. I had Caio Borralho, Brendan Allen and Bo Nickal. They’re no slouches in this game and to lose to them it’s not an embarrassment.”
Craig (17-9-1) dropping three fights to top middleweights isn’t an issue, but he’s clearly on the hot seat at this point. He hopes the move back to 205 will be a factor in winning the fight against Bellato.
“It’s difficult to pick yourself up after three losses because this sport is about entertaining. If you’re not entertaining, you’re not winning, then the UFC have no right to keep you. I know that myself,” he said.
“I’m not under any illusion that a loss come Saturday night would potentially result in me not having a UFC contract on Monday morning. That for me is fire. That’s what I think I need.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Paul Craig above. He takes on Rodolfo Bellato at UFC Vegas 106 on Saturday night.
