“It Will Haunt Me”: Paul Craig Reveals Biggest Regret in Bo Nickal Loss

Paul Craig‘s loss against Bo Nickal at UFC 309 was not violent or dramatic, but it was devastating for sure. Not just to his record, but also his confidence. After dropping to middleweight, ‘Bearjew’ considered the Nickal fight as a watershed moment after continuous losses in the division. Instead, it became the type of bout that sticks with a fighter, not for what happened, but for all that didn’t. Months after that loss, and just a day before his UFC Vegas 106 battle against Rodolfo Bellato, Paul Craig has spoken out about how much the defeat is eating him from the inside.

Paul Craig spoke with journalist Chisanga Malata about the regret he has felt since that night. “Yeah, watching that fight back with Bo Nickal… I was like, That’s what I should have done,” he explained. “Maybe a couple more feints, maybe a couple more punches landed, maybe a couple more takedown attacks, and this could have changed my whole outcome.” ‘Bearjew’ was not outclassed in the traditional sense.

He simply didn’t get moving. Paul Craig, unable to get the fight to the ground, where he thrives, was forced to play Bo Nickal‘s game and never found a way in. The end result was a clear-cut unanimous decision loss where all three judges scored the bout 30-27, which prolonged his losing streak and caused doubts about where he goes next.

However, the sting does not come from the loss itself. It is the passivity. “I didn’t do enough in that fight,” Craig admits. “One of the things that we do after a fight is sit down with the coaching staff. They’ll tell me what went right, what could’ve gone better. That was one of the things — what can we do a little bit more?”

Craig, 36, is struggling to stay relevant in a talent-rich promotion, and he knows there are only so many chances left. And what plagues him is the thought that he didn’t fully utilize one of them. “You’re fighting for your life; it’s 15 minutes,” he joked. “Paul, could you do anything for 15 minutes?” I could have and should have. Looking back, it will haunt me.”

UFC Vegas 106 gives him another shot. But unlike UFC 309, Craig seems determined to leave this one with no “should haves” left behind. However, it is also worth noting that while Paul Craig is getting another shot to prove his worth in the biggest MMA promotion in the world, it might very well become his last one in the promotion. But how do we know that? Well, the UFC fighter has himself admitted his precarious position in the Dana White-led UFC.

Paul Craig has his back against the wall going into UFC Vegas 106

Paul Craig’s return to light heavyweight isn’t part of a long-term career rebuilding plan; it’s about keeping his job. He’s admitted that a loss this Saturday could signal the end of his UFC contract, and at 37, a comeback is unlikely. The three consecutive middleweight defeats were more than just setbacks; they stopped all progress. While a win over Andre Muniz provided some hope, things soon disintegrated after that.

Craig understands what’s at stake on Saturday, and he’s said it: the UFC is a business, and right now, he’s not delivering. He said during the same interview, “100% The way UFC works, you need to be [keep] winning. This sport is about what you do in that Octagon. It’s not about the extra media you do or all the ability to chat. It’s a very small part of the job. It’s about what happens in that Octagon.”

The transition back to 205 pounds is familiar territory, but it comes with a dangerous assignment. Rodolfo Bellato isn’t a household name, but he’s a rising finisher with strong hands and a lot to gain. That puts Craig in a precarious position: lose against a top-ranked fighter, and there’s grace. If you lose to a potential who is still on his way up, the promotion may decide to move on.

‘Bearjew’ has frequently found ways to win when the odds are stacked, but he is also notoriously inconsistent. That’s why UFC Vegas 106 is so important: it’s not just about showing up but about showing enough. Do you think he will be able to bounce back? Let us know in the comments.

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