Paul Craig Explained

Paul Craig
Other Names:Bearjew
Birth Date:27 November 1987
Birth Place:Airdrie, Scotland
Weight:185lb
Weight Class:Light heavyweightMiddleweight
Reach:76 in[1]
Fighting Out Of:Bathgate, Scotland
Team:Higher Level Martial Arts
Rank:Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Brian Gallacher
Years Active:2013–present
Kickbox Win:1
Kickbox Loss:0
Kickbox Draw:0
Mma Kowin:4
Mma Subwin:13
Mma Koloss:5
Mma Subloss:2
Mma Decloss:1
Mma Draw:1
Am Win:3
Am Subwin:3
Sherdog:110167

Paul Craig (born 27 November 1987)[2] is a Scottish mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2013, Craig formerly competed for BAMMA, where he was the BAMMA World Light Heavyweight Champion.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Craig's head coach took him from no martial arts experience to 8–0 as an amateur, with each of his wins coming via first-round stoppage. As a professional, Craig went 8–0 over four years before being signed by the UFC.

In November 2014, Craig won a K1-rules fight in Germany.[3]

Craig won the BAMMA World Light heavyweight Championship at BAMMA 23 when he defeated Marcin Lazarz by submission.[4] He was set to defend his title against Chris Fields in Dublin, although the fight was postponed following the death of Portuguese fighter João Carvalho. The match up was rescheduled, but failed to take place due to Craig's damaging his ankle ligaments.[5] Craig did not end up defending the title, as he signed a 4-fight deal with the UFC.[6]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Craig made his promotional debut against Luis Henrique da Silva on 17 December 2016, at . He won the fight via submission in round 2[7] and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.[8]

Craig faced Tyson Pedro on 4 March 2017, at UFC 209.[9] He lost the bout via first-round TKO.[10]

Craig faced Khalil Rountree at on 16 July 2017.[11] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[12]

Craig faced Magomed Ankalaev on 17 March 2018, at UFC Fight Night 127.[13] He won the fight via submission at 4:59 in Round 3, resulting in the latest submission finish in a 3-round fight in UFC history.[14] He was also awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.[15]

Following the win against Ankalaev, Craig signed a new, four-fight contract with UFC.[16]

Craig faced promotional newcomer Jimmy Crute on 2 December 2018, at UFC Fight Night 142.[17] He lost the fight via kimura in the third round.[18]

Craig faced promotional newcomer Kennedy Nzechukwu on 30 March 2019, at UFC on ESPN 2.[19] He won the fight via submission due to a triangle choke in the third round.[20] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[21]

Craig faced Alonzo Menifield on 29 June 2019, at .[22] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[23]

Craig faced Vinicius Moreira on 21 September 2019, at UFC Fight Night 159.[24] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[25] This win earn Craig his fourth Performance of the Night award.[26]

Craig stepped in on short notice to face Maurício Rua on 16 November 2019, at UFC Fight Night 164, replacing Sam Alvey, who had withdrawn from the bout due to a broken hand.[27] [28] After three rounds, the back-and-forth fight was declared a split draw.[29]

Craig was expected to face Ryan Spann on 21 March 2020, at .[30] However, the event was cancelled.[31]

Craig faced Gadzhimurad Antigulov on 26 July 2020, at UFC on ESPN 14.[32] He won the fight via submission in round one.[33] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[34]

Craig faced Maurício Rua in a rematch on 21 November 2020, at UFC 255.[35] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[36]

Craig was scheduled to face Jamahal Hill on 20 March 2021, at UFC on ESPN 21.[37] However, on 10 March, Hill withdrew from the bout after testing positive for COVID-19.[38] The match was rescheduled for 12 June 2021, at UFC 263.[39] Craig won the bout via TKO in round one after snapping Hill's elbow with an armbar.[40] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[41]

Craig was scheduled to face Alexander Gustafsson on 4 September 2021, at UFC Fight Night 191.[42] However, a week before the event, Gustafsson withdrew due to injury.[43]

Craig faced Nikita Krylov on 19 March 2022, at UFC Fight Night 204.[44] He won the fight via a triangle choke in round one.[45] With this win, he received the Performance of the Night award.[46]

Craig faced Volkan Oezdemir on 23 July 2022, at UFC Fight Night 208.[47] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[48]

Craig faced Johnny Walker on 21 January 2023, at UFC 283.[49] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[50]

Move to Middleweight

Moving down to the middleweight division, Craig faced André Muniz on 22 July 2023, at .[51] He won the fight via ground and pound TKO in the second round.[52] With this win, he received his eighth Performance of the Night bonus award.[53]

Craig faced Brendan Allen on 18 November 2023, at .[54] He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[55]

Craig faced Caio Borralho on 4 May 2024, at UFC 301.[56] He lost the fight by knockout in the second round.[57]

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Paul Craig is also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner who competes in the Absolute, Middleweight, Heavyweight and Super Heavyweight divisions.

Craig won the gold medal on the Absolute division at the Scottish Grappling Challenge 4 in No Gi in 2012.

He took part in the 2013 Scottish BJJ Nationals, taking 1st place in the Advanced 97.5 kg Division.Craig was also in the 2013 Scotia Cup Winter Leg, taking 1st place in both Purple Belt Super Heavyweight and Purple Belt Absolute Divisions.

Craig competed in the 2015 British Pro Jiu Jitsu Championship, taking 1st place in the Purple Belt 95+ kg Division and qualifying for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. He also took 3rd place in the Absolute Purple 75+ kg Division.[58]

In June 2016, he won his classe in Gi and No Gi at Empire Grappling.

After defeating Jamahal Hill in 2021, Craig was promoted to black belt.[59]

On 27 August 2022 Craig defeated Sam Sweeney in a tough, back and forth sub only grappling match at Holytown Havoc 2.

On 24 September 2022 Craig faced Jed Hue in the main event of Polaris 21. Craig was submitted with an ankle-lock in 21 seconds.[60]

Professional wrestling

Insane Championship Wrestling

Craig performs as a professional wrestler. During his career, he has worked for Insane Championship Wrestling where he is a one-time ICW Tag Team Champion with Chris Bungard.[61]

Personal life

Paul played football before becoming an MMA fighter. He also worked as a football coach before becoming a teacher for an educational charity.[62] Paul hosts a podcast called Leather'd, with fellow Scottish MMA fighters Chris Bungard and Ross Cooper.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Professional wrestling

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|17–8–1|Caio Borralho|KO (punches)|UFC 301||align=center|2|align=center|2:10|Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ||-|Loss|align=center|17–7–1|Brendan Allen|Submission (rear-naked choke)|||align=center|3|align=center|0:38|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States ||-|Win|align=center|17–6–1|André Muniz|TKO (elbows)|||align=center|2|align=center|4:40|London, England||-|Loss|align=center|16–6–1|Johnny Walker|TKO (punches)|UFC 283||align=center|1|align=center|2:16|Rio de Janeiro, Brazil||-|Loss|align=center|16–5–1|Volkan Oezdemir|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|London, England||-|Win|align=center|16–4–1|Nikita Krylov|Submission (triangle choke)|||align=center|1|align=center|3:57|London, England||-|Win|align=center|15–4–1|Jamahal Hill|TKO (elbows and punches)|UFC 263 ||align=center|1|align=center|1:59|Glendale, Arizona, United States||-|Win|align=center|14–4–1|Maurício Rua |TKO (submission to punches)|UFC 255||align=center|2|align=center|3:36|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|13–4–1|Gadzhimurad Antigulov|Submission (triangle choke)| ||align=center|1|align=center|2:06|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates||-|Draw |align=center||Maurício Rua|Draw (split)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|São Paulo, Brazil| |-|Win|align=center|12–4|Vinicius Moreira|Submission (rear-naked choke)| ||align=center|1|align=center|3:19|Mexico City, Mexico ||-|Loss|align=center|11–4|Alonzo Menifield|KO (punches) | ||align=center|1|align=center|3:19|Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States||-|Win|align=center|11–3|Kennedy Nzechukwu|Submission (triangle choke) | ||align=center|3|align=center|4:20|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States||-|Loss|align=center|10–3|Jimmy Crute|Submission (kimura)| ||align=center|3|align=center|4:51|Adelaide, Australia| |-|Win|align=center|10–2|Magomed Ankalaev|Submission (triangle choke)| ||align=center|3|align=center|4:59|London, England||-|Loss|align=center|9–2|Khalil Rountree Jr.|KO (punches)| ||align=center|1|align=center|4:56|Glasgow, Scotland||-|Loss|align=center|9–1|Tyson Pedro|TKO (elbows)|UFC 209||align=center|1|align=center|4:10|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|9–0|Henrique da Silva|Submission (armbar)|||align=center|2|align=center|1:59|Sacramento, California, United States||-|Win|align=center|8–0|Marcin Łazarz|Submission (triangle choke)|BAMMA 23 ||align=center|1|align=center|3:51|London, England||-| Win| align=center| 7–0| Karl Moore| Submission (guillotine choke)| BAMMA 22| | align=center| 2| align=center| 0:48| Dublin, Ireland||-| Win| align=center| 6–0| Adam Wright| Submission (armbar)| Animalistic MMA: Rise of the Alpha| | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:47| Preston, England||-| Win| align=center| 5–0| Andrzej Bachorz| Submission (brabo choke)| FightStar Championship 5| | align=center| 1| align=center| 2:37| Coventry, England||-| Win| align=center| 4–0 | Dan Konecke| TKO (punches)| First Fighting Championship: Resurgence | | align=center| 1| align=center| 4:18| Hamilton, Scotland||-| Win| align=center| 3–0| Jon Ferguson| Submission (triangle choke)| Full Contact Contender 10| | align=center| 1| align=center| 1:50| Bolton, England| |-| Win| align=center| 2–0| Antonio Braga| Submission (triangle choke)| Underdog Xtreme Championships 2| | align=center| 1| align=center| 2:41| Belfast, Northern Ireland| |-| Win| align=center| 1–0| Brad Conway| Submission (triangle choke)| First Fighting Championship: Prepare for Glory 3| | align=center| 1| align=center| 2:00| Hamilton, Scotland| |-|}[69]

|-|Win|align=center| 3–0|Jeff Metcalfe |Submission (guillotine choke) |Supremacy Fight Challenge 8 |11 November 2012|align=center|1|align=center|0:46|Gateshead, England||-|Win|align=center| 2–0|Paul Bradshaw |Submission (triangle choke) |Total Combat 50 |6 October 2012|align=center|1|align=center|2:41|Sunderland, England||-|Win|align=center| 1–0|Gary Sivills|Submission (armbar) |Total Combat 48|21 July 2012|align=center|1|align=center|1:26|Sunderland, England||-|}

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Paul Craig UFC. UFC.com. 14 September 2018 . June 19, 2021.
  2. Web site: Paul Craig Stats, News, Bio . 2023-05-30 . ESPN . en.
  3. Web site: Paul Craig aiming for his first pro title in Coventry. 7 April 2015.
  4. Web site: Paul Craig: I knew I would win title when opponent smiled at me at weigh-in. 18 November 2015. Daily Record. 2017-01-24.
  5. Web site: Why UFC 209's Paul Craig, who doesn't even really like MMA, fights for a living. 27 February 2017. mmajunkie. 2017-03-30.
  6. Web site: Paul Craig signs 4-fight deal with the UFC. Fights Day. 2017-01-23.
  7. Web site: UFC on FOX 22 results: Paul Craig submits Luis Henrique da Silva. Doyle. Dave. 2016-12-17. MMA Fighting. 2019-03-31.
  8. Web site: UFC on Fox 22 Bonuses: Waterson, Craig, Smith, Aldana Pocket $50K. Sherdog. 2017-01-23.
  9. Web site: Australian light-heavyweight Tyson Pedro to take on Paul Craig at UFC 209. The Daily Telegraph. 2017-01-24.
  10. News: UFC 209 results: Tyson Pedro puts Paul Craig away in first with vicious elbows. mmajunkie.com. Ben Fowlkes. 2017-03-04. 2017-03-04.
  11. News: UFC announce first three fights for Glasgow show as Paul Craig returns. Daily Record. Tom Heffernan. 2017-04-21. 2017-04-21.
  12. News: UFC Fight Night 113 results: Khalil Rountree thrashes Paul Craig for first-round KO. 2017-07-16. MMAjunkie. 2017-07-17. en-US.
  13. Web site: Ongeslagen Magomed Ankalaev maakt UFC debuut tijdens UFC Londen tegen Paul Craig. DNA. MMA. mmadna.nl. 7 November 2017 . en-US. 2017-11-27.
  14. News: UVideo: Paul Craig pulls off unbelievable last-second submission at UFC London. mmajunkie. Alexander K. Lee. 2018-03-17. 2018-03-18.
  15. News: UFC Fight Night 127 bonuses: Alexander Volkov's main event knockout leads $50K winners. mmamania.com. Dan Hiergesell. 2018-03-17. 2018-03-18.
  16. Web site: From retirement to re-upping: Paul Craig signs new four-fight deal after stunning UFC London comeback. Shaun Al-Shatti. 2018-03-21. mmafighting.com.
  17. News: Paul Craig vs Jim Crute Set For UFC Fight Night 142 In Australia. 2018-08-22. MMAnytt.com. 2018-08-22. en-US.
  18. Web site: UFC Adelaide results: Jim Crute submits Paul Craig in fight's closing seconds. Dave Doyle. mmafighting.com. December 2018 . 2018-12-02.
  19. News: UPaul Craig: UFC Scot to fight Kennedy Nzechukwu in Philadelphia. bbc.com. Amy MacBeath. 2019-01-23. 2019-01-23.
  20. Web site: UFC Philadelphia: Paul Craig subs Kennedy Nzechukwu despite repeated eyepokes. 2019-03-31. MMA Junkie. en. 2019-03-31.
  21. Web site: UFC Philadelphia post-fight bonuses: Gaethje's massive KO nets FOTN honors. Haynes. Stephie. 2019-03-30. Bloody Elbow. 2019-03-31.
  22. Web site: Undefeated Alonzo Menifield meets Scotsman Paul Craig during UFC Minneapolis. mmadna.nl. Marcel Dorff. 2019-04-26. 2019-04-26. nl.
  23. Web site: UFC Minneapolis Results: Alonzo Menifield Sleeps Paul Craig in the First Round. Harshman. Heath. 2019-06-29. Cageside Press. en-US. 2019-06-30.
  24. Web site: Sergio Pettis vs. Alex Perez, Two Other Contests Confirmed for UFC Mexico City on Sept. 21. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2019-07-28.
  25. Web site: UFC on ESPN+ 17 play-by-play and live results. 2019-09-21. MMA Junkie. en. 2019-09-22.
  26. Web site: UFC Mexico City Bonuses & Attendance Revealed • MMA News. Fernando Quiles Jr. 2019-09-22. MMA News. en-US. 2019-09-22.
  27. Web site: Sam Alvey: Broken hand behind 'heartbreaking' withdrawal vs. 'Shogun' Rua at UFC on ESPN+ 22. 2019-10-27. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2019-10-28.
  28. Web site: 'Shogun' Rua vs. Paul Craig announced for UFC Sao Paulo. Guilherme Cruz. mmafighting.com. October 29, 2019.
  29. Web site: UFC Sao Paulo Results: Shogun Rua and Paul Craig Fight to a Draw. Doherty. Dan. 2019-11-16. Cageside Press. en-US. 2019-11-17.
  30. Web site: UFC London Adds Paul Craig vs. Ryan Spann. Jay Anderson. cagesidepress.com. December 19, 2019.
  31. Web site: Cancelled UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Woodley vs. Edwards The O2. O2. The. www.theo2.co.uk. en. 2020-04-10.
  32. Web site: DNA. MMA. Paul Craig treft Gadzhimurad Antigulov op 25 juli in Abu Dhabi. 2 July 2020 . 2020-07-03. en-US.
  33. Web site: Fuentes. Jon. 2020-07-25. UFC Fight Island 3 Results: Paul Craig Beautifully Submits Gadzhimurad Antigulov. 2020-07-26. Cageside Press. en-US.
  34. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2020-07-26. UFC Fight Island 3 Bonuses: Six Fighters Earn 50K Performance of the Night Awards. 2020-07-26. cagesidepress.
  35. Web site: UFC books Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua-Paul Craig rematch for Nov. 21. ESPN.com. Ariel Helwani. 2020-08-18. 2020-08-18.
  36. Web site: Doherty. Dan. 2020-11-21. UFC 255 Results: Paul Craig Stops Shogun Rua, Settles Score. 2020-11-22. Cageside Press. en-US.
  37. Web site: UFC adds Paul Craig vs. Jamahal Hill to March 20 lineup. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2021-01-15. 2021-01-15.
  38. Web site: UFC on ESPN 21 co-main event scrapped after Jamahal Hill forced to withdraw from Paul Craig bout. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Farrah Hannoun. 2021-03-10. 2021-03-10.
  39. Web site: Redactie. 2021-03-24. Multiple UFC fights announced, including Craig vs. Hill. 2021-03-24. mmadna.nl. nl.
  40. Web site: Vreeland. Daniel. 2021-06-12. UFC 263 Results: Paul Craig Destroys Jamahal Hill's Arm En Route to Victory. 2021-06-13. Cageside Press. en-US.
  41. Web site: 2021-06-13. UFC 263 bonuses: That wicked arm injury Paul Craig delivered was worth an extra $50,000. 2021-06-13. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  42. Web site: 2021-07-01. Ashah Tafari. Alexander Gustafsson to face "Bearjew" in octagon return. 2021-07-01. Frontkick.online. sv.
  43. Web site: Alexander Gustafsson out of UFC Fight Night 191 bout with Paul Craig due to injury. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Mike Bohn and Nolan King. 2021-08-21. 2021-08-21.
  44. Web site: Paul Craig vs. Nikita Krylov set for UFC London card in March. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2022-01-28. 2022-01-28.
  45. Web site: Behunin . Alex . 2022-03-19 . UFC London: Paul Craig Taps Nikita Krylov In The First Round . 2022-03-19 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  46. Web site: 2022-03-19 . UFC Fight Night 204 bonuses: Nine fighters go home with $50,000 . 2022-03-20 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  47. Web site: Lee . Alexander K. . 2022-05-12 . Paul Craig vs. Volkan Oezdemir announced for UFC London . 2022-05-13 . MMA Fighting . en.
  48. Web site: Law . Eddie . 2022-07-23 . UFC London: Volkan Oezdemir Stalls Craig's Ground Game, Takes Decision . 2022-07-24 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  49. Web site: Harkness . Ryan . 2022-10-09 . Johnny Walker vs. Paul Craig scrap set for UFC 283 in Brazil . 2022-10-10 . MMAmania.com . en.
  50. Web site: UFC 283: Johnny Walker stops Paul Craig, breaks out the worm. Cageside Press. Dylan Rush. 2023-01-21. 2023-01-22.
  51. Web site: Calhoun . Curtis . 2023-05-15 . Paul Craig set for UFC Middleweight debut against ranked contender . 2023-05-15 . MMA News . en-us.
  52. Web site: Morehouse . Cade . 2023-07-22 . UFC London: Paul Craig Finds Smashing Success in Middleweight Debut Against Andre Muniz . 2023-08-04 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  53. Web site: UFC Fight Night 224 bonuses: Tom Aspinall earns $50,000 in triumphant return from injury. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Matthew Wells. 2023-07-22. 2023-07-22.
  54. Web site: Brendan Allen vs. Paul Craig headlines UFC's Nov. 18 show in Las Vegas. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Staff. 2023-08-29. 2023-08-29.
  55. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2023-11-19 . Brendan Allen Dominates UFC Vegas 82 Main Event, Submits Submission Specialist Paul Craig . 2023-11-19 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  56. Web site: Simon . Tyriece . 2024-01-22 . UFC Schedule: Updated List Of Upcoming Events & Fight Cards . 2024-01-22 . MMA News UFC News, Results & Interviews . en-us.
  57. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2024-05-05 . UFC 301: Caio Borralho Knocks Out Paul Craig in Biggest Career Win . 2024-05-05 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  58. Web site: 2015-03-10. 2015 British Pro Jiu Jitsu Championship Results. 2021-01-16. BJJ Latest. en-US.
  59. Web site: BjjTribes. 2021-06-14. UFC Fighter Paul Craig promoted to BJJ black belt by coach Brian Gallacher. 2021-06-14. BjjTribes. en-US.
  60. Web site: Polaris 21 Full Results and Review . 25 September 2022 .
  61. https://www.wrestling-news.net/icw-get-the-f-out-results/205168/
  62. Web site: Paul Craig. 27 February 2017 . mmajunkie. 2017-03-30.
  63. Web site: UFC Stats - Light Heavyweight Division. July 22, 2023. UFC.com. ufc.com.
  64. Web site: 2018 Half-Year Awards - Part I. June 28, 2018. Thomas Gerbasi. Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  65. Web site: UFC on ESPN 14 post-event facts: Khamzat Chimaev's record might be untouchable. Mike Bohn. July 26, 2020. mmajunkie.com.
  66. Web site: MMA Junkie's 'Submission of the Month' for March: Another last-minute choke. April 3, 2019. mmajunkie.com.
  67. Web site: The Jitsmagazine 2022 BJJ Awards . January 2023 .
  68. https://www.wrestling-news.net/icw-get-the-f-out-results/205168/
  69. Web site: Paul Craig. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2019-11-16.

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