'I was more excited to fight before Spiderman than Trump'

Paul Craig says he was more excited by "fighting in front of Spiderman" than he would be Donald Trump as the Scot prepares to meet Bo Nickal at Madison Square Garden as part of UFC 309.

Craig, 36, takes on the American in a middleweight fight on the main card of Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic's heavyweight title fight.

Reports say Nickal, a Trump supporter and friend, claims the President-elect of the United States has told him he might attend UFC 309 to watch his fight with Craig.

"He's not my president - he's the President of America," Craig told BBC Sport Scotland.

"I was more excited about getting the opportunity to fight in front of Spiderman in London, [actor] Tom Holland.

"It doesn't matter who's in that crowd. You’ve just got a job to do. You've got to handle your business and that's what I’m looking to do.

"But I guess when you think about it, one of the most powerful people in the world sitting in the crowd, watching you at ringside.

"It's kind of cool and it's one of these stories you can tell your kids or grandkids when you're older."

Craig had fought most of his 17 UFC bouts at light heavyweight, but the meeting with undefeated Nickal will be his third at middleweight after dropping down a division.

His first attempt ended in victory against Andre Muniz, but two losses against Brendan Allen and Caio Borralho have followed.

At 36, Craig says he is now savouring the twilight of his career and wants to earn a place at London's Fight Night event in March.

"The championship is slightly further out of reach and the top ten, it's just out of reach," he said.

"So then it becomes less about them and more about right, I want these ‘Oh my God’ moments. I want these fights that get me excited.

"I want to walk out in places like Madison Square Garden. Right now it's all about getting Bo Nickal, handling my business, and then looking forward to potentially fighting in London."