Did Paul Craig Retire?

Paul Craig (born November 27, 1987) is a Scottish former mixed martial artist who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known by his nickname "Bearjew," Craig was a submission specialist who made his mark in the light heavyweight division before retiring on September 6, 2025, after a knockout loss to Modestas Bukauskas.

Born in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland, Craig fought out of Coatbridge and represented Scottish MMA throughout his career. He began his professional MMA career in 2013 and quickly established himself as a submission specialist, winning his first eight fights by submission. Before joining the UFC, he won the BAMMA World Light Heavyweight Championship in 2015.

Craig's UFC career was defined by his grappling prowess and "all-or-nothing" fighting style. He earned 8 Performance of the Night bonuses, the third-most in UFC history, and holds the record for most triangle choke submissions in UFC history with 4. His most notable victories include submissions over future UFC champion Magomed Ankalaev (Ankalaev's only professional loss) and former champion Jamahal Hill, whom he defeated by breaking his arm with an armbar.

In the latter part of his career, Craig struggled with a move to middleweight, going 1-3 in the division before returning to light heavyweight. His final years were marked by inconsistency, winning only 1 of his last 8 fights. He announced his retirement in the octagon after his knockout loss to Bukauskas, famously stating "the young eat the old, and I'm old."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Paul Craig from?
Paul Craig is from Scotland, specifically born in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, on November 27, 1987. He fought out of Coatbridge, Scotland, and represented Scottish MMA throughout his career. His Scottish heritage was a core part of his fighting identity, and he was often described as a "homegrown Scottish fighter" who brought pride to his country.

Why did Paul Craig retire?
Paul Craig retired after suffering a brutal first-round knockout loss to Modestas Bukauskas at UFC Fight Night 258 in Paris on September 6, 2025. In his post-fight interview, he stated "the young eat the old, and I'm old. Thank you for the memories." This marked his fourth consecutive loss and came after a challenging period where he had won only 1 of his last 8 fights.

What was Paul Craig's fighting style?
Paul Craig was known as a submission specialist with a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. He had an "all-or-nothing" fighting style, with 13 of his 17 career victories coming by submission (76% finish rate). He holds the UFC record for most triangle choke submissions with 4 and is second in UFC light heavyweight history with 6 submission wins.

What were Paul Craig's most notable victories?
Craig's most significant victories include submitting future UFC champion Magomed Ankalaev (Ankalaev's only professional loss), breaking former champion Jamahal Hill's arm with an armbar, and defeating former champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. He also holds the record for the latest submission in UFC history, submitting Ankalaev at 4:59 of round 3.

How many Performance of the Night bonuses did Paul Craig earn?
Paul Craig earned 8 Performance of the Night bonuses during his UFC career, which ranks third in UFC history behind Charles Oliveira and Kevin Holland. These bonuses recognized his exciting submission victories and his ability to finish fights in spectacular fashion.