Paul Craig
BearJew
Scotland
Retires following latest loss
Craig lost to Modestas Bukauskas via KO (elbow) at 5:00 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Paris.
ANALYSIS
Craig announced his retirement following the setback. Honestly, it was the only option. The 37-year-old Scot was winless in his past five fights (0-4, 1NC) and sporting a 1-6 (1NC) mark in his past eight dating back to July 2022. It looked as if he would survive to see a second round against Bukauskas, but an elbow at the literal buzzer knocked Craig out briefly and forced referee Marc Goddard to call the action. An eight time Performance of the Night winner, Craig closes his run with victories over the likes of current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev, Shogun Rua, and Jamahal Hill, all via stoppage.
Craig announced his retirement following the setback. Honestly, it was the only option. The 37-year-old Scot was winless in his past five fights (0-4, 1NC) and sporting a 1-6 (1NC) mark in his past eight dating back to July 2022. It looked as if he would survive to see a second round against Bukauskas, but an elbow at the literal buzzer knocked Craig out briefly and forced referee Marc Goddard to call the action. An eight time Performance of the Night winner, Craig closes his run with victories over the likes of current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev, Shogun Rua, and Jamahal Hill, all via stoppage.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Next fight scheduled
Craig is scheduled to compete against Modestas Bukauskas in a light heavyweight fight at UFC Paris on Sept. 6, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Fortunately for Craig, he will have another chance to get back to winning ways. Across his last seven fights, he is 1-5 (1), with the latest bout being a no-contest. Craig will not have an easy path to victory, considering Bukauskas is entering their fight with a win streak.
Fortunately for Craig, he will have another chance to get back to winning ways. Across his last seven fights, he is 1-5 (1), with the latest bout being a no-contest. Craig will not have an easy path to victory, considering Bukauskas is entering their fight with a win streak.
Foul leads to no-contest
Craig and Rodolfo Bellato fought to a no contest (illegal upkick) at 4:59 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Atlanta.
ANALYSIS
Craig entered as a +270 underdog and probably should have been disqualified for the upkick, so a no-contest isn't the worst result in the world for him. Craig was competitive in Round 1 and may have actually deserved the frame, but he crushed Bellato with an upkick with a second to go, knocking him out on the spot. It was deemed an accident, but it was most definitely a foul, so a DQ was firmly in play. Referee Kevin MacDonald went the no-contest route instead. Perhaps the UFC will run this one back.
Craig entered as a +270 underdog and probably should have been disqualified for the upkick, so a no-contest isn't the worst result in the world for him. Craig was competitive in Round 1 and may have actually deserved the frame, but he crushed Bellato with an upkick with a second to go, knocking him out on the spot. It was deemed an accident, but it was most definitely a foul, so a DQ was firmly in play. Referee Kevin MacDonald went the no-contest route instead. Perhaps the UFC will run this one back.
Fighting in Atlanta vs. Bellato
Craig will face off against Rodolfo Bellato at UFC Atlanta on Jun. 14, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Craig was scheduled to take on Bellato in May, but the bout is now switched over to the Atlanta card in June. The Scottish light heavyweight who is just 1-5 in his last six fights, will look to get back on track against Bellato in June. The 37-year-old fighter is 9-9-1 during his time with the UFC, but he has fallen on hard times as of late.
Craig was scheduled to take on Bellato in May, but the bout is now switched over to the Atlanta card in June. The Scottish light heavyweight who is just 1-5 in his last six fights, will look to get back on track against Bellato in June. The 37-year-old fighter is 9-9-1 during his time with the UFC, but he has fallen on hard times as of late.
Next bout booked
Craig will face off against Rodolfo Bellato at UFC Vegas 106 on May 17, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Craig, who is just 1-5 in his last six fights, will look to get back on track against Rodolfo Bellato in May. The 37-year-old Scottish fighter is 9-9-1 during his time with the UFC, but he has fallen on hard times as of late.
Craig, who is just 1-5 in his last six fights, will look to get back on track against Rodolfo Bellato in May. The 37-year-old Scottish fighter is 9-9-1 during his time with the UFC, but he has fallen on hard times as of late.
Falls to 1-5 in past six fights
Craig lost to Bo Nickal via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC 309 on Saturday in New York City.
ANALYSIS
Craig more than held up his end of the bargain as a +750 underdog, remaining competitive the entire way in what was a 15-minute kickboxing match. He predictably struggled to generate any notable offense, but he was undoubtedly aided by the fact Nickal didn't attempt a single takedown. Craig's win condition at this stage of his career is almost always via submission, and he never got remotely close to one of them here given how this fight played out. Set to turn 37 years of age at the end of the month, Craig has now lost three in a row and five of his last six. He's been tasked with facing tough competition during that stretch, but you are what your record says you are in this sport, and Craig's recent record suggests he may be looking at a release.
Craig more than held up his end of the bargain as a +750 underdog, remaining competitive the entire way in what was a 15-minute kickboxing match. He predictably struggled to generate any notable offense, but he was undoubtedly aided by the fact Nickal didn't attempt a single takedown. Craig's win condition at this stage of his career is almost always via submission, and he never got remotely close to one of them here given how this fight played out. Set to turn 37 years of age at the end of the month, Craig has now lost three in a row and five of his last six. He's been tasked with facing tough competition during that stretch, but you are what your record says you are in this sport, and Craig's recent record suggests he may be looking at a release.