Paul Craig: The Submission Specialist in the UFC Light Heavyweight Division
Paul "Bearjew" Craig, born November 27, 1987 in Airdrie, Scotland, is one of the most feared submission specialists in the UFC light heavyweight division. Craig is known for his ability to turn fights around from difficult positions and surprise his opponents with impressive submissions, often in the dying moments of a fight. His toughness, fighting spirit and strong Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu have made him a fan favorite and a constant threat to everyone in the division.
Early Life and Career
Craig came to MMA later in life, after a background in kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Before starting his career as a professional fighter, Craig worked as a teacher in Scotland. However, his relatively late entry into the martial arts did not prevent him from quickly rising to the top of the sport.
Craig made his professional MMA debut in 2013, competing in regional promotions across the United Kingdom. He established himself as a dominant force by finishing fights early with submissions. His performances in regional competitions quickly attracted the attention of international scouts, leading to his UFC debut in 2016.
UFC Career
Paul Craig made his UFC debut in December 2016 at UFC on Fox 22 , where he defeated Henrique da Silva via second-round submission. The fight immediately demonstrated Craig's potential as a threat in the light heavyweight division, particularly with his strong ground skills.
While Craig had some mixed results in his early UFC career, with losses to tough competitors such as Tyson Pedro and Khalil Rountree, he continued to impress with his ability to finish fights with late submissions. One of his more notable wins came in March 2018 at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov , where Craig defeated Magomed Ankalaev with a triangle choke in the dying seconds of the third round. The fight showcased Craig's never-give-up mentality and his ability to always find a finish no matter the circumstances.
Craig continued his dominant run with submissions, including victories over tough opponents such as Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Jamahal Hill, and Nikita Krylov. His June 2021 victory over Hill, where he defeated the rising star via TKO after suffering a broken arm, was one of the highlights of his career.
Style and Technique
Paul Craig is known for his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and his ability to end fights with submissions. He is particularly adept at finding triangle chokes, arm triangles and other devastating techniques from both the guard and mount positions. Craig has scored numerous victories from seemingly tight positions, and his ability to always seek a submission makes him a constant threat at every stage of a fight.
While his striking isn't as strong as his grappling, Craig has developed into a versatile fighter who uses his long reach well to create opening opportunities for takedowns and ground fighting.
Future Ambitions
Paul Craig remains determined to break through to the top of the UFC light heavyweight division. With his impressive winning streak and ability to defeat big names in the division, he has established himself as a serious challenger. Craig has his sights set on a title fight and continues to work on refining his skills to realize his ambitions.
Conclusion
Paul Craig is one of the most feared submission specialists in the UFC, known for his fighting spirit, impressive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and ability to win fights from tough situations. His strong performances against some of the best fighters in the light heavyweight division have made him a consistent threat and a fan favorite. As he continues to work toward his goals, Craig remains a name to watch in the future of the UFC.