Rodolfo Bellato discusses his battle against Paul Craig during UFC Vegas 106.
Go for the Gold
Brazilian light heavyweight Rodolfo Bellato is set to square off against Paul Craig in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 106 on May 18 at the UFC Apex. Here's what the former LFA champion had to say about his opponent in an interview with MMA Fighting:
"I didn't see this fight coming, but when it got announced, my coach and I agreed that this is the best option for us right now. Craig's strategy and style fit well with ours," Bellato shared.
When asked about Craig's approach, Bellato said, "In most of his fights, except the last one against Nick, he goes for takedowns or immediately enters guard to fight on the ground. And groundwork hasn't been a major part of my fights. But he doesn't know that I'm also a black belt in jiu-jitsu and train a ton. He'll have troubles if we end up on the ground."
Bellato is currently riding a series of five fights without a loss, while Craig has lost his last three matches.
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Insider Info:
While Bellato and Craig's anticipated light heavyweight bout was cancelled due to Bellato's last-minute withdrawal citing a medical issue later attributed to herpes, let's speculate on the potential strategies and advantages both fighters could have employed in their contest.
Bellato's Ground Advantage
With Bellato's grappling skills, he could have dominated the fight on the ground, potentially setting up submissions or controlling positions to secure a decision victory. His jiu-jitsu background also makes him a threat from the bottom, potentially forcing Craig to be cautious in engaging in ground fights, which could have limited Craig's offensive options.
Craig's Striking Approach
Craig, known for his grappling skills, could have focused on using his striking to keep the fight at distance, limiting Bellato's opportunities to engage in grappling. He might also have aimed to use his own grappling skills to counter Bellato's ground game, potentially looking for opportunities to take Bellato's back or secure a dominant position.
The rescheduled bout will surely be an exciting match-up, showcasing these fighters' respective strategies in action.
This article is purely speculative as the fight between Rodolfo Bellato and Paul Craig was cancelled. The strategies and advantages mentioned here are hypothesised and not confirmed.
Bookmakers might find it challenging to predict the outcome of the rescheduled match between Rodolfo Bellato and Paul Craig, given their contrasting strategies. Bellato, with his black belt in jiu-jitsu, could potentially dominate on the ground, while Craig, known for his grappling skills, could focus on his striking to maintain distance.
Sports fans, especially those interested in mixed-martial-arts, will be keenly watching the rescheduled bout between Bellato and Craig, as it could showcase exciting ground battles and strategic plays.
