Paul Craig retires from the UFC: how the Scotsman became an MMA legend.

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Emotional farewell of Paul Craig from MMA

Paul Craig, a humble former teacher from Clyde Valley, never dreamed of becoming a legend of mixed martial arts in Great Britain.

However, it is in this status that he leaves the sport after his emotional retirement last week.

'The Bear' placed his gloves on the mat after a TKO loss to Modestas Bukauskas at UFC Paris.

This moment marked the symbolic end of a career, highlighted by the warm embrace of both fighters after the fight.

Statistics and achievements

Craig, 37, could not hold back tears as he bids farewell to a career that lasted nearly a decade.

There are reasons for this: he went through fierce competition, from which he decided to leave when the time was right.

• 21 fights, 9 wins, 8 bonuses for 'Performance of the Night' – the third highest in UFC history;
• 6 submissions – a unique achievement for Craig in the UFC.

Paul, the 'Bloody Killer' from Airdrie, also leaves the promotion with a record for the most wins by triangle chokes in nearly 32 years of the organization’s history.

Craig fought the best in both lightweight and middleweight divisions, although UFC titles remained elusive, despite the fact that at his peak he ranked 7th in the 205-pound division.

Legacy and emotional memories

He can proudly recall his career that new generations of fighters can only dream of.

Craig provided us with unforgettable moments that will remain in the memories of MMA fans in Great Britain and far beyond.

Who among us will not remember his phenomenal submission of lightweight champion Magomed Ankalaev at UFC London in March 2018?

Or his brutal arm-cranking of former champion Jamahal Hill at UFC 263 in June 2021.

He also defeated Hall of Famer Maurício 'Shogun' Rua, although he often downplays this achievement.

In this sport, the young eat the old, and I am already old.

Paul Craig

Paul Craig will leave his mark in history as a legend of mixed martial arts in Great Britain and a pioneer of Scottish MMA.

One of the bright examples of his character was his speech after a tough bout with Andre Muniz at UFC London in July 2023. Moved by saving his career, he used his microphone moment to honor the memory of the late Tom Heffernan, who was a devoted representative of Scottish mixed martial arts.

Craig always created memorable moments, even in the toughest times. His victories over Ankalaev and Muniz stand testament to that.

These moments, not his shortcomings, will remain in the memories of British fans for many years when they think of Craig's name.

This also applies to his intensity and Scottish pride that he brought to every fight.

Paul Craig can confidently reflect on his journey in the world of mixed martial arts and truly be proud of his achievements.