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Next for Paul Craig (#12)?
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06.17.2021 | 10:38 AM ET
Craig (33) won an impressive TKO victory over Jamahal Hill (#15) at UFC 263.
On a 4-fight winning streak, and displaying his high-level jiu-jitsu, WHO WILL CRAIG FIGHT NEXT?
1. Krylov (#9) - Krylov is a well rounded, Top 10 talent. 28 years old and a seasoned UFC vet (8-6); he has had mixed results with losses to the Champ (jan), the Title Challenger (Glover) and other ranked talent. He is coming from a decision loss to streaking Magomed Ankalaev (#7) in February. He will be poised for a comeback soon, going on nearly 6 months out of the octagon. He can strike and grapple, and will pose an excellent test for Craig.
2. Volkan Oezdemir (#8) - Another Top 10 guy coming from a loss, he fell to Jiri Prochazka (#2) one year ago. He is another UFC veteran, with wins and losses in the promotion, who is a staple gatekeeper. Let's see who can rack up the win here. Near same ages, "5-4 in the UFC" versus "7-4 in the UFC" its an even and logical matchup.
3. Cirkunov (#13) - Like Krylov and Oezdemir, Cirkunov is a similar case: 5-4 in the UFC, 34 years old...coming from a KO loss to Ryan Spann (#11) a few months back. These two are side-by-side in the rankings: #12 vs #13
On a 4-fight winning streak, and displaying his high-level jiu-jitsu, WHO WILL CRAIG FIGHT NEXT?
1. Krylov (#9) - Krylov is a well rounded, Top 10 talent. 28 years old and a seasoned UFC vet (8-6); he has had mixed results with losses to the Champ (jan), the Title Challenger (Glover) and other ranked talent. He is coming from a decision loss to streaking Magomed Ankalaev (#7) in February. He will be poised for a comeback soon, going on nearly 6 months out of the octagon. He can strike and grapple, and will pose an excellent test for Craig.
2. Volkan Oezdemir (#8) - Another Top 10 guy coming from a loss, he fell to Jiri Prochazka (#2) one year ago. He is another UFC veteran, with wins and losses in the promotion, who is a staple gatekeeper. Let's see who can rack up the win here. Near same ages, "5-4 in the UFC" versus "7-4 in the UFC" its an even and logical matchup.
3. Cirkunov (#13) - Like Krylov and Oezdemir, Cirkunov is a similar case: 5-4 in the UFC, 34 years old...coming from a KO loss to Ryan Spann (#11) a few months back. These two are side-by-side in the rankings: #12 vs #13
Responses
06.18.2021 | 2:01 AM ET
I like the vulcan matchup, then cirk then krylov.
If the first one doesnt happen.
If the first one doesnt happen.
"“I took no damage,” Hill said. “Most of the fall was me falling down"
06.18.2021 | 9:05 AM ET
Krylov is my #1 choice, I heard MMA Guru mention the matchup and it stuck with me.
I liked his fight style versus Ankalaev....it'll be interesting.
I liked his fight style versus Ankalaev....it'll be interesting.
06.18.2021 | 9:55 AM ET
NJRP, Krylov has a lot of experience and it still under 30. Its pretty crazy. I liked his striking versus Ankalaev.
Krylov, Crikunov, and Volkan are all similar in that they are about 50/50 fighters who have the skills to hold positions in the bottom of the Top 15...they are interchangeable.
Craig vs Ankalaev 2 may happen, but I like fresh matchups better.
I don't really like to see rematches and trilogies, I like when they put together new combinations....I wouldn't be mad at it though.
Thanks for your reply.
Krylov, Crikunov, and Volkan are all similar in that they are about 50/50 fighters who have the skills to hold positions in the bottom of the Top 15...they are interchangeable.
Craig vs Ankalaev 2 may happen, but I like fresh matchups better.
I don't really like to see rematches and trilogies, I like when they put together new combinations....I wouldn't be mad at it though.
Thanks for your reply.