Rodolfo Bellato, former LFA champion, is aiming for a less challenging bout when he steps into the octagon against Paul Craig at UFC Vegas 106 on Saturday, marking his first time co-headlining a UFC card.
Known as “Trator,” Bellato earned his spot in the UFC following two outings on Dana White`s Contender Series. His promotional debut in December 2023 at UFC Austin was a tough test; he weathered a strong attack before securing a knockout victory over Ihor Potieria, which also earned him a $50,000 bonus.
A little over a year later, with the support of then-light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in his corner, Bellato found himself close to being stopped again in the first round, this time against Jimmy Crute. Despite the danger, he managed to survive and see the fight through to a rare majority draw decision.
Immediately after his gruelling 15-minute fight, Bellato spoke with UFC CEO Dana White backstage. He shared that White commended him for his resilience, noting how he “got beat up but came back.” For UFC Vegas 106, however, Bellato`s goal is a straightforward win, hoping any significant damage is inflicted solely upon his opponent.
“Every fight offers a lesson,” Bellato commented. “Thankfully, I`ve confirmed I`ll never be short on heart,” he chuckled. “But ideally, it would be better with slightly less drama. Every fighter`s dream scenario is to land one perfect punch, see their opponent drop, and then celebrate with their team.”
Craig is making his way back to the light heavyweight division following a stint at middleweight from 2023 to 2024, where he compiled a 1-3 record with losses to Bo Nickal, Caio Borralho, and Brendan Allen. His earlier departure from the 205-pound weight class came after losses to Johnny Walker and Volkan Oezdemir, leading Bellato to believe Craig is facing considerable pressure.
“He wasn`t initially who I anticipated fighting,” Bellato stated, “but once the fight was confirmed, my coach and I agreed he was the ideal opponent for us right now. He presents an excellent strategic challenge, and his style aligns favorably with ours. It’s truly the perfect matchup. He’s undoubtedly dangerous and warrants respect, but I feel I`m currently in a stronger position, especially considering he`s coming off three defeats.”
“While he`s dangerous and possesses a solid ground game, his style might be somewhat predictable. This allowed us to thoroughly study him and identify weaknesses that suit our approach well. I`ve had a complete training camp this time and feel fully prepared for this fight. He`s definitely under pressure, having tested both middleweight and light heavyweight, but I won`t let that affect my performance. I plan to approach this like any other fight, focusing on imposing my own strategy rather than getting preoccupied with my opponent.”
Craig is set for his 20th UFC appearance, holding a record of 9-9-1 within the promotion. Notably, his wins include victories over current and former champions such as Magomed Ankalaev, Jamahal Hill, and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Despite Craig`s extensive experience against high-level opponents and legendary figures, Bellato anticipates that his own diverse skill set will pose problems for the veteran Scottish fighter.
“In most of his bouts, with the exception of his recent fight against Bo Nickal where they primarily stood and traded for three rounds, he typically seeks takedowns or pulls guard, aiming to engage on the ground at every opportunity,” Bellato explained. “Because my previous fights haven`t featured much ground fighting, I suspect he might think, ‘Taking him to the ground will be straightforward.’ However, he might not realize that I am also a jiu-jitsu black belt and dedicate significant training to that area. The fight won`t be simple for him if it ends up on the mat.”
“I`m also not looking to force this fight into a striker-versus-grappler scenario,” he added. “Instead, I consider myself a complete MMA fighter and train in all disciplines. I`m prepared for any situation. Regardless of where the fight unfolds, I am ready to secure the finish.”
