Paul Craig was just moments away from making the walk when everything changed. Scheduled to face Rodolfo Bellato at UFC Vegas 106, the Scottish fighter had already wrapped up warm-ups and was waiting in the wings when word came down: the fight was off.
Speaking on the “Believe You Me” podcast with Michael Bisping and Paul Felder, Craig described the situation as confusing and frustrating. “We were basically ready to go out,” he said. “Then someone comes back and says there’s a problem.”
That “problem” turned out to be a skin concern noticed on Bellato’s face during final checks. According to Craig, it was referee Jason Herzog who flagged the issue to the athletic commission. The commission reviewed it and made the call to pull Bellato from the fight.
Craig said no one from the UFC medical staff had flagged anything earlier in the week, which added to the surprise. “We did all the pre-fight stuff, the faceoffs, the check-ins, everything,” he said. “Nobody said a word until right before we walked.”
The bout has since been rebooked for June. While an earlier reschedule was offered, Craig explained that logistics made it unworkable. His team, including coaches and nutrition staff, needed proper time to reset. “We don’t just show up and fight,” he added. “There’s a full system behind each camp. We needed a bit more time.”
Craig remains focused and says the change won’t shake his mindset. He’s still preparing to face Bellato and expects to be sharper next time around.
