It’s tough to get a title shot in the UFC. However, veteran Paul Craig believes he holds a golden ticket.
The “queue-jump pass,” Craig calls it. By that, he refers to a 2018 submission win he holds over current UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev, which stands as the only defeat of Ankalaev’s career. Craig (17-9-1 MMA, 9-9-1 UFC), who takes on Modestas Bukauskas (18-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC) this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 258 (ESPN+) from Accor Arena in Paris, believes he just needs to string a few wins together to get him a shot at the UFC light heavyweight belt, even if that means skipping other contenders.
“The next years, we say I’m 37. I believe I have a queue-jump pass just waiting in my back pocket, and I’m just going to put use to it after a few victories at the light heavyweight division,” Craig said at UFC Fight Night 258 media day on Wednesday. “I left the light heavyweight division as No. 9-ranked opponent and went to middleweight. Granted, that didn’t work out for me. I’m expecting a couple of wins, get back in the top 10, and use that queue skip with that victory over Ankalaev, and get myself right in that title contention. Ideal situation for me would be that, but we know that this sport has its ups and downs, but ultimately that’s what I’m looking for – the ability to be a world champion. End of the steps, everyone wants to have a gold belt around their waist.”
Even with history with the champion, some might remain skeptical about Craig’s chances of getting a title shot. After all, he’s only won one fight in his past seven and is a little more than two years away from turning 40. However, he feels primed to get consecutive wins, and he doesn’t see Ankalaev losing his belt any time soon, making him an attractive candidate for the title.
“It’s what the UFC decides for me. I’ve had fights I’ve asked for, and it’s not turned out that way or not getting them, or it’s maybe up to the UFC what they want to do with me,” Craig said. “Do they want a 37-year-old champion? Probably not. But what’s more important is that they want an exciting champion, and that’s what I’m going to do. We’ve seen Anlkalaev get the belt, and we’re going to see him fighting against Pereira in a few weeks, and I believe it’s potentially going to go the same way. Once that guy has been at the top too long, they’re just going to chat with the ‘Bear Jew’ and ask him, ‘Can you come and save the day?’ And I’ll be like, ‘You know what? I will come and save the day.'”
