UFC light-heavyweight Paul Craig is confident he can win world honours after watching Jiri Prochazka's win over Glover Teixeira.
Prochazka submitted Teixeira in the final moments of their 205lb title fight at UFC 275 last month. It was a back-and-forth fight with 42-year-old Teixeira coming close to finishing Prochazka on several occasions. Craig, who fights Volkan Oezdemir this Saturday at UFC London, believes he has the ability to become light-heavyweight champion after watching Prochazka's win.
"Watching his fight against Glover, a man at 42, there's definitely scope," Craig said. "I'm watching that [fight] I was like 'I would have finished that' and 'I would have done that'. Watching fights lures you into this false sense of security but it does give me confidence in my ability.
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"Do I think he'll be the champion for long? No. I've got a lot of hope that [Magomed] Ankalaev takes that title because I believe if he takes the title than very soon, I've got a rematch. He's only got one loss on his record and that's to me, so I hope he wins the belt because then it's an easier route to the title for me.
'Bearjew' extended his unbeaten run to four fights in March by submitting Nikita Krylov with his trademark triangle choke. The Scot turns 35 in November and initially thought he would retire at that age, but had a change of heart after insisting his body still feels young. Craig is hopeful that a win over Oezdemir this Saturday can push him one step closer to becoming Scotland's first-ever UFC champion.
"Thirty five was the age I was going to retire and that was because I didn't think my body would hold up," he added. "That number changed and I believe I've got another four or five years left. I know I said that I needed to retire at 35, but I don't think there's ever been a fighter who's got more left in the tank and then leave the sport happily.
"When my career ends is when the UFC contract stops coming, I don't want to take damage for anything least than the best. So once the UFC contract stops coming through, then it's time to walk away from the sport."
