UFC 309: Paul Craig 'more excited to fight in front of Spider-Man than Donald Trump'

Airdrie UFC star Paul Craig says he was more excited to fight in front of Spider-Man than he is by the prospect of potentially battling it out in view of Donald Trump this weekend.

The 36-year-old is in the Unisted States to take on American Bo Nickal at Madison Square Garden for UFC 309 in the early hours of Sunday morning, UK time.

Nickal is reportedly a friend of the President-elect and there are rumours Trump may attend to see his pal in action.

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However, Craig says grappling it out in front of Spider-Man star and actor Tom Holland in a recent fight in London is a much greater honour.

He told the BBC: "He's not my president - he's the President of America.

"I was more excited about getting the opportunity to fight in front of Spiderman in London, Tom Holland.

"It doesn't matter who's in that crowd. You’ve just got a job to do. You've got to handle your business and that's what I’m looking to do.

"But I guess when you think about it, one of the most powerful people in the world sitting in the crowd, watching you at ringside.

"It's kind of cool and it's one of these stories you can tell your kids or grandkids when you're older."

Craig goes in with a record of 17-8-1, though he is on a two-fight losing streak, most recently against Caio Borralho in May.

Nickal, 28, was one of the USA’s best collegiate wrestlers with a 120-3 record. In UFC he has a 6-0-0 record and is known for ending fights in the second round at the latest.

Craig goes into the fight as a huge underdog.