Paul Craig
Paul Craig | |
---|---|
Born | Paul Craig 27 November 1987[1] Airdrie, Scotland |
Other names | Bearjew |
Nationality | Scottish |
Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Weight | 204 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) |
Division | Light Heavyweight |
Reach | 76 in (193 cm) |
Fighting out of | Coatbridge, Scotland |
Team | Scottish Hit Squad |
Rank | Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Marcos Nardini[2] |
Years active | 2013–present |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 12 |
Wins | 10 |
By knockout | 1 |
By submission | 9 |
Losses | 2 |
By knockout | 2 |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Paul Craig (born 27 November 1987) is a Scottish mixed martial artist who competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2013, he formerly competed for BAMMA, where he was the Light Heavyweight Champion.
Early martial arts career
Paul Craig’s head Coach Brian Martin Gallacher took him from no martial arts experience to 8-0 as an amateur. To 9-0 as a pro in the space of 4 years
Professional mixed martial arts career
Craig won the BAMMA World Light Heavyweight Championship at BAMMA 23 when he defeated Marcin Lazarz by submission.[3] He was set to defend his title against Chris Fields in Dublin when it was postponed following the death of Portuguese fighter Joao Carvalho. The match up was rescheduled but failed to take place due to Craig damaging his ankle ligaments.[4] Paul's first title defence was not rescheduled, as he signed a 4 fight deal with the UFC.[5]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
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, for which he was awarded with a Performance of the Night bonus.[6]
Craig faced Tyson Pedro on 4 March 2017 at UFC 209.[7] He lost the bout via first round TKO.[8]
Craig faced Khalil Rountree at UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio on 16 July 2017.[9] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[10]
Craig faced Magomed Ankalaev on 17 March 2018 at UFC Fight Night 127.[11] 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.[12] He was also awarded with a Performance of the Night bonus.[13]
Following the win against Ankalaev, Craig signed a new, four-fight contract with UFC.[14]
Craig is scheduled to face newcomer Jim Crute on December 2, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 142.[15]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Luis Henrique da Silva and Magomed Ankalaev
- BAMMA
- BAMMA World Light Heavyweight Championship (One time; first)
Personal life
Paul played football before becoming a MMA fighter. He also worked as a football coach before becoming a teacher for an educational charity.[16][17]
Mixed martial arts record
12 matches | 10 wins | 2 losses |
By knockout | 1 | 2 |
By submission | 9 | 0 |
By decision | 0 | 0 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 10–2 | Magomed Ankalaev | Submission (triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov | 17 March 2018 | 3 | 4:59 | London, England | Performance of the Night. |
Loss | 9–2 | Khalil Rountree | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio | 16 July 2017 | 1 | 4:56 | Glasgow, Scotland | |
Loss | 9–1 | Tyson Pedro | TKO (elbows) | UFC 209 | 4 March 2017 | 1 | 4:10 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 9–0 | Henrique da Silva | Submission (armbar) | UFC on Fox: VanZant vs. Waterson | 17 December 2016 | 2 | 1:59 | Sacramento, California, United States | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 8–0 | Marcin Łazarz | Submission (triangle choke) | BAMMA 23: Night of Champions | 14 November 2015 | 1 | 3:51 | London, England | Won the BAMMA World Light Heavyweight Championship. |
Win | 7–0 | Karl Moore | Submission (guillotine choke) | BAMMA 22: Duquesnoy vs. Loughnane | 19 September 2015 | 2 | 0:48 | Dublin, Ireland | |
Win | 6–0 | Adam Wright | Submission (armbar) | Animalistic MMA: Rise of the Alpha | 20 June 2015 | 1 | 0:47 | Preston, England | |
Win | 5–0 | Andrzej Bachorz | Submission (D'Arce choke) | FightStar Championship 5 | 11 April 2015 | 1 | 2:37 | Coventry, England | Won the vacant FightStar Light Heavyweight Championship. |
Win | 4–0 | Dan Konecke | TKO (punches) | First Fighting Championship: Resurgence | 13 September 2014 | 1 | 4:18 | Hamilton, Scotland | |
Win | 3–0 | Jon Ferguson | Submission (choke) | Full Contact Contender 10 | 21 June 2014 | 1 | 1:50 | Bolton, England | |
Win | 2–0 | Antonio Braga | Submission (triangle choke) | Underdog Xtreme Championships 2 | 1 March 2014 | 1 | 2:41 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
Win | 1–0 | Brad Conway | Submission (triangle choke) | First Fighting Championship 3: Prepare For Glory | 24 August 2013 | 1 | 2:00 | Hamilton, Scotland |
See also
References
- ^ "Paul Craig". Tapology. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
- ^ Darren Swan (October 20, 2016). "Paul Craig signs 4-fight deal with the UFC". #WHOATV.
- ^ "Paul Craig: I knew I would win title when opponent smiled at me at weigh-in". Daily Record. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
- ^ "Why UFC 209's Paul Craig, who doesn't even really like MMA, fights for a living". mmajunkie. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
- ^ "Paul Craig signs 4-fight deal with the UFC". Fights Day. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
- ^ "UFC on Fox 22 Bonuses: Waterson, Craig, Smith, Aldana Pocket $50K". Sherdog. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
- ^ "Australian light-heavyweight Tyson Pedro to take on Paul Craig at UFC 209". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
- ^ Ben Fowlkes (2017-03-04). "UFC 209 results: Tyson Pedro puts Paul Craig away in first with vicious elbows". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
- ^ Tom Heffernan (2017-04-21). "UFC announce first three fights for Glasgow show as Paul Craig returns". Daily Record. Retrieved 2017-04-21.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 113 results: Khalil Rountree thrashes Paul Craig for first-round KO". MMAjunkie. 2017-07-16. Retrieved 2017-07-17.
- ^ DNA, MMA. "Ongeslagen Magomed Ankalaev maakt UFC debuut tijdens UFC Londen tegen Paul Craig". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
- ^ Alexander K. Lee (2018-03-17). "UVideo: Paul Craig pulls off unbelievable last-second submission at UFC London". mmajunkie. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
- ^ Dan Hiergesell (2018-03-17). "UFC Fight Night 127 bonuses: Alexander Volkov's main event knockout leads $50K winners". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
- ^ Shaun Al-Shatti (2018-03-21). "From retirement to re-upping: Paul Craig signs new four-fight deal after stunning UFC London comeback". mmafighting.com.
- ^ "Paul Craig vs Jim Crute Set For UFC Fight Night 142 In Australia". MMAnytt.com. 2018-08-22. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
- ^ "Paul Craig". mmajunkie. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
- ^ "Paul Craig". The Sun. Retrieved 2017-01-23.