Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig prediction, decide, begin time for UFC 309

Bo Nickal and Paul Craig meet Saturday on the UFC 309 major card at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York. Try this fast breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.

Final occasion: 4-1
UFC major playing cards, 2024: 95-89-3

Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig UFC 309 preview

After getting a main-card opening spot on the historic UFC 300 card earlier this yr, the promotion is again to spotlighting Nickal (6-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), the previous three-time NCAA nationwide champion wrestler, within the featured bout on UFC 309 from Madison Sq. Backyard. Nickal has cruised by means of his first three UFC fights, most not too long ago submitting Cody Brundage within the second spherical this previous April. … Craig (17-8-1 MMA, 9-8-1 UFC) is seeking to play spoiler after dropping back-to-back fights in opposition to Brendan Allen and most not too long ago Caio Borralho in Might at UFC 301.

Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig UFC 309 skilled decide, predictions

The UFC continues to steadily check Nickal by giving him the spoiler machine in Craig.

Not solely does Craig considerably surprisingly have a optimistic report in opposition to southpaws at 4-2, however the Scotsman owns wins over among the prime names at gentle heavyweight in Magomed Ankalaev and Jamahal Hill.

That stated, the strengths of Criag have been identified for a while, and fighters are getting higher at avoiding it.

Though Nickal is clearly a top-level wrestler who’s falling in love with the submission sport, the American southpaw has proven to have some placing and energy on the ft which might be price respecting.

I might like to be flawed right here, however I believe that Nickal finds a approach to produce a stoppage by way of strikes in Spherical 2.

Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig UFC 309 odds

The oddsmakers and the general public are closely favoring the American fighter, itemizing Nickal (-1700) and Craig (+730) by way of FanDuel.

Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig UFC 309 begin time, find out how to watch

Because the featured bout, Nickal and Craig are anticipated to stroll to the cage at roughly 11:15 p.m. ET. The battle will stream on ESPN+.

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 309.