Paul Craig

Paul Craig (born 27 November 1987) 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.

As of 12 March 2024, he is #13 in the UFC middleweight rankings.

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.

Craig won the BAMMA World Light heavyweight Championship at BAMMA 23 when he defeated Marcin Lazarz by submission.

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.

Craig did not end up defending the title, as he signed a 4-fight deal with the UFC.

Craig made his promotional debut against Luis Henrique da Silva on 17 December 2016 at UFC on Fox: VanZant vs. Waterson.

He won the fight via submission in Round 2 and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.

Craig faced Tyson Pedro on 4 March 2017 at UFC 209.

He lost the bout via first-round TKO.

Craig faced Khalil Rountree at UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio on 16 July 2017.

He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Craig faced Magomed Ankalaev on 17 March 2018 at UFC Fight Night 127.

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.

He was also awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.

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

Craig faced promotional newcomer Jimmy Crute on 2 December 2018 at UFC Fight Night 142.

He lost the fight via kimura in the third round.

Craig faced promotional newcomer Kennedy Nzechukwu on 30 March 2019 at UFC on ESPN 2.

He won the fight via submission due to a triangle choke in the third round.

This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Craig faced Alonzo Menifield on 29 June 2019 at UFC on ESPN 3: Ngannou vs. dos Santos.

He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Craig faced Vinicius Moreira on 21 September 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 17.

He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

This win earn Craig his fourth Performance of the Night award.

Craig stepped in on short notice to face Maurício Rua on 16 November 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 22, replacing Sam Alvey, who had withdrawn from the bout due to a broken hand.

After three rounds, the back-and-forth fight was declared a split draw.

Craig was expected to face Ryan Spann on 21 March 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards.

However, the event was cancelled.

Craig faced Gadzhimurad Antigulov on 26 July 2020 at UFC on ESPN 14.

He won the fight via submission in round one.

This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Craig faced Maurício Rua in a rematch on 21 November 2020 at UFC 255.

He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Craig was scheduled to face Jamahal Hill on 20 March 2021 UFC on ESPN 21.