History of Paul Craig in Timeline

Paul Lindsey Craig is a Scottish professional mixed martial artist. He competes in the UFC's Middleweight division. Craig started his professional career in 2013. Before joining the UFC, he fought for BAMMA, where he held the title of BAMMA World Light Heavyweight Champion.

November 1987: Birth of Paul Craig

Paul Craig was born in November 1987 in Scotland.

2012: Gold Medal at Scottish Grappling Challenge

Paul Craig won gold in the Absolute division at the Scottish Grappling Challenge 4 (No Gi) in 2012.

2013: Success at Scottish BJJ Nationals and Scotia Cup

In 2013, Paul Craig won 1st place in the Advanced 97.5 kg Division at the Scottish BJJ Nationals and also took 1st place in both the Purple Belt Super Heavyweight and Absolute Divisions at the Scotia Cup Winter Leg.

2013: Professional MMA Debut

Paul Craig began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2013.

November 2014: K1 Victory in Germany

In November 2014, Paul Craig secured a win in a K1-rules fight held in Germany.

2015: British Pro Jiu Jitsu Championship and World Championship Qualification

In 2015, Paul Craig won 1st place in the Purple Belt 95+ kg Division at the British Pro Jiu Jitsu Championship, qualifying for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. He also achieved 3rd place in the Absolute Purple 75+ kg Division.

June 2016: Double Gold at Empire Grappling

Paul Craig won gold in both Gi and No Gi classes at Empire Grappling in June 2016.

December 2016: UFC Debut and Performance of the Night

Paul Craig debuted in the UFC against Luis Henrique da Silva at UFC on Fox: VanZant vs. Waterson in December 2016, winning by submission and earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

March 2017: Loss to Tyson Pedro

Paul Craig lost to Tyson Pedro via TKO in the first round at UFC 209 in March 2017.

July 2017: Loss to Khalil Rountree

Paul Craig lost to Khalil Rountree by knockout in the first round at UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio in July 2017.

March 2018: Late Submission Victory and Performance Bonus

In March 2018, at UFC Fight Night 127, Paul Craig defeated Magomed Ankalaev with a late submission in Round 3, securing the latest submission finish in a 3-round fight in UFC history and receiving a Performance of the Night bonus.

December 2018: Loss to Jimmy Crute

Paul Craig lost to newcomer Jimmy Crute via kimura in the third round at UFC Fight Night 142 in December 2018.

March 2019: Submission Victory and Performance of the Night

Paul Craig won against Kennedy Nzechukwu by submission via triangle choke in round three at UFC on ESPN 2 in March 2019, earning him the Performance of the Night award.

June 2019: Loss to Alonzo Menifield

Paul Craig lost to Alonzo Menifield by knockout in the first round at UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. dos Santos in June 2019.

September 2019: Submission Win and Performance Bonus

At UFC Fight Night 159 in September 2019, Paul Craig defeated Vinicius Moreira by rear-naked choke in round one, earning his fourth Performance of the Night award.

November 2019: Draw with Maurício Rua

Paul Craig fought Maurício Rua to a split draw at UFC Fight Night 164 in November 2019 after stepping in on short notice.

March 2020: Cancelled Bout with Ryan Spann

Paul Craig's scheduled fight against Ryan Spann at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards in March 2020 was cancelled.

July 2020: Submission Win and Performance Bonus

Paul Craig submitted Gadzhimurad Antigulov in the first round at UFC on ESPN 14 in July 2020, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

November 2020: TKO Victory over Maurício Rua

Paul Craig defeated Maurício Rua by TKO in round two at UFC 255 in November 2020.

March 2021: Postponed Bout with Jamahal Hill

Paul Craig's fight against Jamahal Hill, initially scheduled for March 2021 at UFC on ESPN 21, was postponed due to Hill testing positive for COVID-19.

June 2021: TKO Win and Performance Bonus against Jamahal Hill

In June 2021, at UFC 263, Paul Craig secured a TKO victory against Jamahal Hill in the first round, winning by snapping Hill's elbow with an armbar, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

September 2021: Cancelled Bout with Alexander Gustafsson

Paul Craig's scheduled bout against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC Fight Night 191 in September 2021 was cancelled due to Gustafsson's injury.

2021: Promotion to Black Belt

Paul Craig was promoted to black belt in 2021 after his victory over Jamahal Hill.

March 2022: Submission Win and Performance of the Night

Paul Craig defeated Nikita Krylov via triangle choke in the first round at UFC Fight Night 204 in March 2022, earning the Performance of the Night award.

July 2022: Loss to Volkan Oezdemir

Paul Craig lost to Volkan Oezdemir by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 208 in July 2022.

August 2022: Victory at Holytown Havoc 2

Paul Craig defeated Sam Sweeney in a sub-only grappling match at Holytown Havoc 2 in August 2022.

September 2022: Loss at Polaris 21

Paul Craig lost to Jed Hue via ankle lock submission at Polaris 21 in September 2022.

January 2023: Loss to Johnny Walker

Paul Craig lost to Johnny Walker via TKO in the first round at UFC 283 in January 2023.

July 2023: Middleweight Debut, TKO Win, and Performance Bonus

Paul Craig made his middleweight debut against André Muniz at UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura in July 2023, winning by TKO in the second round and earning his eighth Performance of the Night bonus.