During Saturday night's post-UFC 309 press conference, Dana White revealed that President-elect Trump was surprised by the physical disparity between Beau Knickal and Paul Craig.
Nickal defeated Craig by unanimous decision in a middleweight bout at Madison Square Garden. Fans in the arena booed Nickal and shouted “overrated” at the former NCAA Division 1 national champion. Since joining White's Contender Series in 2022, he has improved his professional mixed martial arts record to 7-0 and 6-0.
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Bo Niccal (right) connects with a punch against Scotland's Paul Craig during a mixed martial arts middleweight bout at UFC 309 on Saturday, November 16, 2024 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Mr. White was asked about Nikkal and shared his thoughts on the president-elect.
“We've had these discussions with Mr. Beau,” White said. via ordercy. “You know, Bo needs work. Bo is an up-and-coming guy. I know he has big aspirations and wants to move faster than he needs to. “In tonight's game. All I know is…he still dominated him, which means he won the whole match, but he has a job to do.
“When you're in Beau's position, there are a lot of expectations. Did you see Craig's size? That guy is a monster. The president looked at me and said, 'These guys are on top of the world. “Are we in the same class?'' He loves Beau Nickal, so I said, “Yeah.'' It's crazy. ”
President-elect Trump looks on camera as he watches Beau Niccal fight Scotland's Paul Craig at UFC 309 on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Madison Square Garden. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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Nickal weighs 185 pounds and Craig weighs 186 pounds, and they were seen chatting with President Trump after the victory was declared.
The crowd didn't seem too happy with Nikkal winning the match.
Bo Niccal (right) punches Scotland's Paul Craig during a mixed martial arts middleweight bout at UFC 309 on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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“These guys want to see blood,” he told Joe Rogan after the game. “They expect me to knock everyone out in 25 seconds or choke everyone out in a minute, but the reality is they're all professional fighters who have been training for over 10 years. And I played in these 2 1/2-3 games.'' It's been a number of years and I'm very excited about that performance. ”
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