It’s not an easy skill to relax when you’re in one of the most pressurised situations of your life.
It’s a skill, though, that Paul Craig is going to need to make sure he has in his armoury this evening or there could, in more ways than one, be serious consequences. Craig is due to take on Lithuanian-British fighter, Modestas Bukauskas, at UFC Paris and the Airdrie man doesn’t just want to win, he needs to win.
Over the past decade, Craig has established himself as one of the most formidable light-heavyweight fighters the UFC has ever seen but having not recorded a victory in his past four fights - he racked up three consecutive defeats before his most recent outing, in June, was ruled a no contest - the 37-year-old desperately needs to turn his fortunes around.
He may have signed a new, five-fight deal with the UFC earlier this year but Craig is under no illusions that if he doesn’t return to winning ways soon, his UFC career could well be over.
“The UFC is like any other employer; if you're not doing your job well, they can terminate your contract. I would love to keep fighting into my 40s, but the UFC might have other plans,” says the Scot, who’s the only fighter to have inflicted defeat on UFC great, Magomed Ankalaev.
"And then there's the external pressure, too, because I want to do this for my family. So I really, really want this victory.
“Not just the victory though. It really needs to be an ‘oh my god’ moment that shows everyone I can still produce the goods.
“So this fight is all or nothing for me. I need a good win and I need to put this opponent away.”
Such high stakes would be a daunting prospect for many but conversely, Craig, who has a 17-9-1 UFC record, is relishing having such a considerable weight upon his shoulders.
“There is a lot of pressure on me in this fight, but that's when I believe I do my best work,” he says.
“When my back is against the wall and everyone's counted me out, that's what inspires me to do great things. And that's what I'm going to try for tonight.
“I'd like to get this fight done very quickly, but that's not how this sport works. You have to go through the blood, sweat and tears, but that's what makes this sport so beautiful.”
As hyped-up as Craig is for this bout, though, the Scot is in little doubt that if he displays any signs of tension or anxiety in the octagon this evening, Bukauskas will take full advantage.
The only way to perform well in this most un-relaxing of sports is, says Craig, to be as relaxed as is humanly possible. Easier said than done when someone’s trying to beat you to a pulp but Craig believes he’s reached a point in his career where he not only recognises the importance of relaxation, but is able to make it a reality.
“The tension is what slows you down so to fight well, the secret is relaxing. If somebody hits you and you're really tight, your body can't absorb it and you can't move with the punches. Bruce Lee said, be like water. So you need to just go with the flow,” says Craig.
“In my last couple of fights, it's been a more relaxed version of me. I'm now able to breathe in these big moments and not panic whereas for a long time, I was in these firefights and I was panicking. That change is what's made me that bit more confident - knowing that I can stand there in the big moments and not worry about getting hit.”
Given Craig has recorded only one win in his past seven fights, it’s perhaps unsurprising that there has been some murmurs that his career may not have too long left.
Craig, unlike many athletes, though, does not fear retirement but rather, he merely wants to delay it for as long as possible. And despite the fact he's honing-in on 40, he’s quick to point out that he’s still improving as a fighter, which is something’s he confident will be on display this evening.
“If I had to leave this sport, I would be heartbroken because I love it and not a lot of people get to say that about their job,” he says.
“Before I was a fighter, I was a teacher so I'm not sitting here wondering what I could do when I do, ultimately, retire.
“I've always wanted to leave a legacy in this sport and I've done that - I’ve fought in the UFC for 10 years and had 21 fights - there's only two people in the UK who have had more UFC fights than me.
“So if I did, for example, get a serious injury and have to walk away from the sport, I would be happy knowing that I've given it my absolute all. But I believe there's still a few ‘oh my god’ moments left for me and that's what gets me up in the morning and working hard.
“I'm getting better with age and against Bukauskas, I'm going to land some big, heavy shots and I think he will be taken aback by the damage I can do. And I genuinely believe that a couple of victories would get me a title shot.”
