UFC 309 outcomes, highlights: Bo Nickal shakes off boos to outpoint Paul Craig, keep undefeated file

Regardless of a refrain of boos from the Madison Sq. Backyard crowd for the dearth of sustained motion and even chants of “overrated,” former three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion Bo Nickal took an necessary step ahead on Saturday in his burgeoning MMA profession. 

Nickal (7-0) by no means tried a single takedown over three rounds towards veteran Paul Craig (17-9-1) however landed the cleaner photographs on his toes en path to a tactical victory by unanimous choice at UFC 309 in New York. The 28-year-old collegiate legend from Penn State took dwelling scores of 30-27 from all three judges regardless of the gang’s displeasure after three shut but clear rounds. 

“Truthfully, I really feel nice. I went on the market and I dominated for quarter-hour,” Nickal mentioned. “These guys wish to see blood. They count on me to knock all people out in 25 seconds or choke them out in a minute. The truth is, these guys are all skilled fighters and have been coaching over a decade. I have been on this for 2 and a half or three years. I am fired up about this efficiency. I believed that was a tremendous efficiency.”

Nickal went the three-round distance for the primary time as an expert and sealed an in depth remaining spherical when his looping left hand surprised Craig, a 36-year-old native of Scotland, and lower him below the appropriate eye. 

The MSG followers weren’t joyful after the Nickal-Craig combat 😳 #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/baO6lgsmHX

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 17, 2024

Regardless of getting into as a 12-to-1 betting favourite, Nickal took his time and care to outpoint the restricted hanging of Craig as he centered his offense nearly completely on calf kicks and jabs to the physique from distance.  

“I dominated him and I lower him,” Nickal mentioned. “I feel if there have been two extra rounds, I’d’ve finally obtained the end however I used to be proud of it.  Let us take a look at the best fighters of all-time: Jon Jones, Khabib [Nurmagomedov], “GSP” [Georges St-Pierre], “Mighty Mouse” [Demetrious Johnson]. They’re successful selections over robust guys. Craig has 26 professional fights and I’ve six. I whipped him for quarter-hour and I am fired up.”

Craig fought properly, significantly defensively, regardless of getting into the bout having been completed in two of three fights since transferring all the way down to 185 kilos in July 2023. However the submission skilled by no means obtained the possibility to check his guard on the bottom towards Nickal’s wrestling and largely centered on physique kicks to remain shut in all three rounds.

The loss places Craig’s UFC future in query, nonetheless, as he fell to 1-5 in his final six outings.