Paul Craig is one of the most successful MMA fighters to ever come out of Scotland, and he’s just announced his retirement from the sport after fighting at UFC Paris on September 6th, 2025. Craig first became a professional fighter back in 2013 after a 3-0 amateur career and it didn’t take him long at all to make it to the UFC. He made his promotional debut just 3 years later after racking up an 8-0 record on the regional MMA circuit. Craig has been a mainstay of both the middleweight and light-heavyweight divisions ever since, standing across from several top fighters like Mauricio Rua and Bo Nickal during his career.
Craig was coming into his fight against Modestas Bukauskas at UFC Paris with a 17-9-1 (1) career record and although the fight didn’t go his way, he still received a lot of love from the crowd. A lot of that is down to Craig’s reputation as a talented grappler who always delivers exciting fights. Only 2 of his 29 fights have gone to decision and he’s pulled off some incredible late finishes, including a memorable one in the final second of his fight with current champion Magomed Ankalaev. Craig actually remains the only person to ever beat Ankalaev, demonstrating just how dangerous his Jiu-Jitsu is.
UFC Paris Full Results
Nassourdine Imavov defeats Caio Borralho via Decision – Unanimous
Benoit Saint Denis defeats Mauricio Ruffy via Submission – Rear-naked Choke
Modestas Bukauskas defeats Paul Craig via Knockout – Ground and Pound
Mason Jones defeats Bolaji Oki via TKO – Elbows
Axel Sola defeats Rhys McKee via TKO – Body Punches
William Gomis defeats Robert Ruchala via Decision – Unanimous
Preliminary Card
Oumar Sy defeats Brendson Ribeiro via TKO – Punches
Ante Delija defeats Marcin Tybura via Knockout – Punches
Kaue Fernandes defeats Harry Hardwick via TKO – Leg Kicks
Sam Patterson defeats Trey Waters via TKO – Punches
Robert Bryczek defeats Brad Tavares via TKO – Punches
Rinat Fakhretdinov defeats Andreas Gustafsson via TKO – Punches
Sam Hughes defeats Shauna Bannon via Submission – Rear-naked Choke
The full UFC Paris event replay, including Paul Craig announcing his retirement, is available to watch on UFC Fight Pass.
