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Light Heavyweight Division

Not Fighting

"BearJew"

Paul Craig

Light Heavyweight Division

17-10-1 (W-L-D)

4

Wins by Knockout

13

Wins by Submission

11

First Round Finishes

Paul Craig
  • Last fight

    Win
    Modestas Bukauskas
    Paul Craig

    Bukauskas vs Craig

    Sep. 6, 2025

athlete record

Info

Learn more about Paul Craig's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.

Status
Not Fighting
Place of Birth
Airdrie, Scotland
Trains at
Higher Level MMA
Fighting style
Kung-Fu
Age
37
Height
75.50
Weight
205.00
Octagon Debut
Dec. 18, 2016
Reach
76.00
Leg reach
43.00
  • Pro since 2013
     
  • 13 wins by submission (RNC, 8 triangle, guillotine, 2 armbar, brabo), four by KO
     
  • Is 6-6-1, 1 NC in his last 14
     
  • Has finished all wins, 11 in the first round
     
  • Had 3-0 amateur record
     
  • Origin of nickname – “Closely guarded gym secret.”

UFC Fight Night (9/6/25) Craig was knocked out by Modestas Bukauskas at 5:00 of the first round

UFC on ESPN (6/14/25) Craig’s bout with Rodolfo Bellato was ruled a no contest when Bellato was unable to continue due to an accidental illegal upkick

UFC 309 (11/16/24) Craig lost a three round unanimous decision to Bo Nickal

UFC 301 (5/4/24) Craig was knocked out by Caio Borralho at 2:10 of the second round 

UFC Fight Night (11/18/23) Craig was submitted by Brendan Allen via rear naked choke at :38 of the third round 

UFC Fight Night (7/22/23) Craig stopped Andre Muniz via strikes at 4:40 of the second round 

UFC 283 (1/21/23) Craig was stopped by Johnny Walker via strikes at 2:16 of the first round 

UFC Fight Night (7/23/22) Craig lost a three round unanimous decision to Volkan Oezdemir

UFC Fight Night (3/19/22) Craig submitted Nikita Krylov via triangle choke at 3:57 of the first round

UFC 263 (6/12/21) Craig stopped Jamahal Hill via strikes at 1:59 of the first round

UFC 255 (11/21/20) Craig stopped Mauricio Rua via strikes at 3:36 of the second round

UFC on ESPN (7/26/20) Craig submitted Gadzhimurad Antigulov via triangle choke at 2:06 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (11/16/19) Craig fought to a three round draw with Mauricio Rua

UFC Fight Night (9/21/19) Craig submitted Vinicius Moreira via rear naked choke at 3:19 of the first round

UFC on ESPN (6/29/19) Craig was knocked out by Alonzo Menifield at 3:19 of the first round

UFC on ESPN (3/30/19) Craig submitted Kennedy Nzechukwu via triangle choke at 4:20 of the third round

UFC Fight Night (12/2/18) Craig was submitted by Jimmy Crute via kimura at 4:51 of the third round

UFC Fight Night (3/17/18) Craig submitted Magomed Ankalaev at 4:59 of the third round

UFC Fight Night (7/16/17) Craig was knocked out by Khalil Rountree at 4:56 of the first round

UFC 209 (3/4/17) Craig was stopped by Tyson Pedro via strikes at 4:10 of the first round

UFC on FOX (12/17/16) Craig submitted Henrique da Silva via armbar at 1:59 of the second round

When and why did you start training for fighting? I was dragged to a Jits class by a friend five years ago and found I was pretty good at holding half-naked sweaty guys to the ground. From there I started boxing a year later and had my first fight about that time, winning with a triangle choke.

Training: Morning gym session, coffee with the coach, fuel up for an afternoon session, fuel up again and back in to train at night. 

What ranks and titles have you held? As an amateur, I held British and Scottish LHW championships. As a pro, I held British, European and BAMMA world LHW titles. I was Abu Dhabi European world champion as Purple belt. Five-time Scottish BJJ champion. Five-time British BJJ champion.  Black belt in BJJ

Do you have any heroes? Arnold Schwarzenegger

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? When I stared training, I had no idea I would have been fighting on the biggest stage for MMA and it still doesn't feel real. I have sacrificed so much to get to this point, and it means so much to me and my team.

What was your job before you started fighting? I have been teaching personal development in high schools for the last six years.