Once upon a time, there was a Scotsman named Paul Craig (17-7-1). Craig was the 13th-ranked middleweight fighter in the UFC, making him a promising talent. He took down numerous foes with his strikes (2.42 significant strikes per minute) and grappling (1.76 takedowns per 15 minutes).
One day, he was sent to an exotic land called Rio de Janeiro. There, he would square off against the local hero, Caio Borralho (15-1), at UFC 301. Borralho was known as “The Natural,” using extraordinary technique and high fighting IQ to vanquish his adversaries.
But can Craig slay the dragon in Brazil? Does he have enough juice to put on an entertaining fight? Here’s a tale of the tape between the two middleweights and what they can offer.
The Tape On Paul Craig
Paul Craig has been around the MMA scene for a while. The 36-year-old is known for his time in the light heavyweight division, taking down fighters such as Jamahal Hill and Mauricio Rua. However, he’s also lost three of his last four fights, with the Scotsman looking to turn his fortunes around.
How can he do this? It starts with working Caio Borralho into the corner. Additionally, Craig needs to do everything he can to win the ground game. That means getting down and dirty, looking for any openings. However, the light heavyweight fighter must also not leave himself open on the ground. Otherwise, Borralho will pounce.
The Tape On Caio Borralho
In the other corner lies the high-flying Caio Borralho. The Brazilian lightweight has tremendous athletic ability, overwhelming his opponents with his striking prowess and power.
However, he’s also a balanced fighter in the octagon. This Saturday, Borralho must take Craig to the ground and punish him. The fight will likely be decided on who can continuously work the other. For Borralho, this is a distinct advantage he carries and is a specialty he also owns.
The Verdict
Sadly, this tale doesn’t have a happy ending for Paul Craig. While he is an entertaining fighter with plenty of skill, he also leaves himself open at times. Consequentially, that allows MMA fighters like Caio Borralho to strike.
That’s why the Brazilian superstar should come away with a victory. His overall athleticism and overwhelming power should end Craig’s hopes of a happy ending.
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