UFC 309 Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig – Odds and Match Preview
A rising star in the UFC’s middleweight division Bo Nickal is set to face his toughest challenge yet against veteran fighter Paul Craig at UFC 309 on November 16, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Let’s take a closer look at the odds and stakes for this middleweight showdown.
Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig – Odds
Nickal is a substantial favorite in the online betting, with odds ranging from -800 to -1300 depending on the sportsbook. This means that a bettor would need to wager $800 to $1300 just to win $100 on Nickal.
On the flip side, Paul Craig is positioned as a significant underdog, with odds ranging from +550 to +775. These odds suggest that a $100 bet on Craig could potentially yield a return of $550 to $775 if he were to pull off the upset.
These odds paint a picture of a fight that oddsmakers and bettors expect Nickal to dominate. However, it’s worth noting that in mixed martial arts, upsets are not uncommon, and Craig’s experience and submission skills could potentially pose a threat to the rising star. Despite this, the betting market clearly views Nickal as the overwhelming favorite to emerge victorious at UFC 309.
Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig
28-year-old former collegiate wrestling standout Bo Nickal captured the title in NCAA Division I title for Penn State before transitioning to MMA. Since joining the UFC, Nickal has been nothing short of dominant, finishing all three of his opponents and maintaining an undefeated 6-0 professional record. His most recent victory came at UFC 300, where he submitted Cody Brundage, marking the first time he had to fight beyond the first round in his career.
On the other side of the cage, Scotland’s Paul Craig presents a formidable challenge to the rising prospect. The Scottish athlete is known for his Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills and has a knack for pulling off submissions even when down on the scorecards. Craig has competed primarily as a light heavyweight in the UFC, where he’s scored notable victories over former champion Jamahal Hill and top contender Magomed Ankalaev. Recently, Craig moved down to the middleweight division in search of a career resurgence.
Nickal’s world-class wrestling will be pitted against Craig’s dangerous bottom submission game, creating an interesting grappling chess match. For Nickal, this fight represents an opportunity to prove himself against a seasoned veteran and potentially catapult himself into title contention. Craig, on the other hand, is looking to bounce back from recent setbacks and assert himself as a force in the middleweight division.
A win for Nickal would solidify his status as one of the hottest prospects in the sport and likely earn him a shot at a top-ranked opponent. For Craig, a victory over the highly touted Nickal would rejuvenate his career and potentially put him back in the mix for big fights in the 185-pound division.
UFC 309 is set to be headlined by a heavyweight title match between all-time great Jon Jones and former division king Stipe Miocic.
