Paul Craig says an enforced stay on the sidelines has been “horrible”, and hopes to get back to action in the new year.
But it means that Craig – who is undefeated in his last five bouts – will be able to spend Christmas with his family for the first time since joining UFC in 2016.
Craig, 33, from Airdrie, was due to face Alexander Gustafsson in September and that was moved from London to Las Vegas, but then his Swedish opponent withdrew due to an “undisclosed injury”.
‘Bearjew’ was then lined up against Ukrainian Nikita Krylov in Las Vegas in December, but can’t get his second Covid vaccination in enough time to be able to take part in that.
Craig hopes that fight will take place in the new year, and says there is unconfirmed talk of a UK card in March, so has his fingers crossed.
But it means that his last fight was against Jamahal Hill in June, although it was a convincing win for the Scot.
He said: “That fight against Gustafsson was meant to happen during summer, and then it was cancelled and supposed to be moved once he was better, but I had actually taken another fight.
“I was meant to be fighting Krylov on December 18, but due to the Covid double-vaccination to get into America that’s not going to be happening any more.
“Now it’s going to be waiting until the new year.
“It’s horrible; I’m a guy who likes to be active and as it’s currently going just now I’m not being active.
“Because of my pull-out at the start of the year against Jamahal Hill, I’ve spent the last year in a fight camp, I’ve not had any time off training, and I’ve only had one fight, so as a fighter that’s a bit frustrating, but it’s the nature of the sport.
“The higher you go up the rankings the fights become more dangerous and fights become less regular, because everybody wants to take the right fight for them in their career.
“As long as I keep progressing I’m, still in the boat, but I’m a fighter, I want to get paid to fight, so it’s a bit disappointing.”
Craig added: “I’m fit and ready to go, but I can’t get going.
“It would have been December 18 in Vegas, but due to the double vaccination, I can’t get vaccinated in time.
“That has been a massive hindrance to me, and I do understand why the US are doing it, but I’ve already been there twice prior to this without a double vaccination, so it’s difficult.
“But what it does mean is that I’ll be able to celebrate Christmas with the family.
“Since I started in the UFC I’ve never had a Christmas when I’ve not had a fight.
“Everything happens for a reason, and I really can’t complain about getting to spend Christmas with the kids, but I’m 33, getting older, and I want to keep fighting.
“In saying that, at the weekend the light-heavyweight belt changed hands from Jan Blachowicz to Glover Teixeira, who is 42 years old, so age is just a number!”
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