Paul Craig vs Rodolfo Bellato: A Battle Postponed by Fate, Reignited by Determination
So here’s something wild that happened in the MMA world recently—and trust me, it’s one of those moments that really makes you feel the unpredictability of fight night. Imagine being minutes away from stepping into the Octagon—gloves on, adrenaline flowing, mentally prepped for war—and then suddenly, boom , it’s all over before it begins. That’s exactly what happened with Rodolfo Bellato and Paul Craig back at UFC Vegas 106 in May.
The bout was yanked just moments before it was supposed to start. Bellato had been fully ready, already in gear and warming up backstage when the Nevada Athletic Commission noticed something off. Turns out, Bellato had developed a visible cold sore on his lip that very morning—a sudden flare-up of herpes. During the face-offs and weigh-ins, nothing was noticeable, but by fight day, it became too obvious to ignore. The commission’s doctor flagged it, and the match was immediately pulled.
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Now, here’s where the emotion hits. Bellato admitted he cried. And honestly, who wouldn’t? It was a dream moment—about to fight in the UFC against a veteran like Paul Craig—and it vanished just like that. But Bellato showed class and understanding. He later said the commission absolutely made the right call. It’s a contagious virus, after all. Fighting would’ve put both athletes at risk. As crushing as the disappointment was, safety had to come first.
Luckily, the fight didn’t vanish for good. UFC moved quickly to reschedule it for June 14 in Atlanta. That meant both fighters had to recalibrate everything—training, weight, strategy. Bellato, who usually balloons up to 235 pounds after fights, had to stay tight around 205, and he managed it. He came in lean, focused, and ready for redemption.
Paul Craig, on the other hand, saw this rematch as a second chance—his opportunity to return to light-heavyweight with an exciting win, not just a standard W on the record. After a tough run at middleweight, where he struggled to get momentum, he’s now determined to reignite his career in his natural weight class. And he’s not just looking for victory—he’s looking to make a statement, the kind that gets people on their feet and reminds everyone exactly who Paul Craig is.
And you know what? Both guys are fired up. Bellato believes he can stop Craig, whether it's on the feet or the ground. Craig is anticipating a grappling-heavy fight but is ready to outclass Bellato with technique and experience. They’ve both had a taste of each other’s energy—from May’s weigh-ins to June’s media obligations—and now it’s time to settle it for real.
This isn’t just a rescheduled bout. It’s a collision of two hungry fighters with something to prove, shaped by frustration, patience, and raw emotion. Whatever happens in Atlanta, one thing’s for sure—we’re getting a fight that neither man will take for granted.
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