Paul Craig Quick Info | |
---|---|
Height | 6 ft 4 in |
Weight | 84 kg |
Date of Birth | November 27, 1987 |
Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
Eye Color | Blue |
Paul Craig is a Scottish professional mixed martial artist who began competing in the light heavyweight division of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship – an American mixed martial arts promotion company that is considered to be the largest of its kind and the most prestigious in the world) in December 2016. He switched to the middleweight division in July 2023. As of November 2023, Paul had put together a 9-7 win-loss record in the promotion and won 8 ‘UFC Bonus Awards’ – ‘Performance of the Night’ (eight times). As of December 5, 2023, he was ranked 12th in the UFC middleweight rankings. Before joining UFC in December 2016, Paul had amassed an 8-0 win-loss record (between August 2013 and November 2015), competing in promotions such as First Fighting Championship, Underdog Xtreme Championships, Full Contact Contender, FightStar Championship, Animalistic MMA, and BAMMA (British Association of Mixed Martial Arts). During this career phase, he clinched the vacant FightStar Light Heavyweight Championship in April 2015. He also won the BAMMA World Light Heavyweight Championship in November 2015. Paul holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (a self-defense martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds). He also co-hosts a podcast called Leather’d – with a couple of fellow Scottish mixed martial arts fighters.
Born Name
Paul Craig
Nick Name
Bearjew, Bearjew-jitsu
Sun Sign
Sagittarius
Born Place
Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
Residence
Scotland, United Kingdom
Nationality
Occupation
Professional Mixed Martial Artist
Family
- Mother – Sharon Craig
Manager
He has been represented by Paradigm Sports, Global Sports Management & Media Agency, Irvine, Orange County, California, United States.
Weight(s)
- Light Heavyweight (2013-2023)
- Middleweight (2023-Present)
Stance
Orthodox
Reach
6 ft 4 in or 193 cm
Net Worth
Paul Craig’s net worth had been $2 million according to CelebrityNetWorth.com.
Build
Athletic
Height
6 ft 4 in or 193 cm
Weight
84 kg or 185 lbs
Girlfriend / Spouse
Paul has 2 daughters named Millie (b. 2007) and Maia (b. 2015). However, as he likes to keep his private life away from the media spotlight, the name(s) of his daughter’s mother(s) remains a well-guarded secret.
Race / Ethnicity
White
He is of British descent.
Hair Color
Dark Brown
Eye Color
Blue
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
- Toned physique
- Towering frame
- Side-cropped, side-parted hair
- Sports a thick, bushy beard
- Has his right hand covered in tattoos
- Has tattoos on his left side, left hand, and near his waist
- Has the phrase ‘God Only Knows What I’d Be Without You’ tattooed on his upper chest
Paul Craig Facts
- Before he turned to mixed martial arts, Paul used to play soccer. He also used to work as a soccer coach after which he briefly served as a teacher for an educational charity.
- He began his amateur mixed martial arts career in July 2012 and amassed a 3-0 win-loss record by November 2012. He then began his professional mixed martial arts career in August 2013.
- Although Paul has remained committed to that career path ever since he has intermittently competed in tournaments/events related to other combat sports or martial arts as well. In November 2014, he won a K1 (a professional kickboxing promotion established in 1993) fight in Germany.
- Representing Scotland in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (a self-defense martial art and combat sport), he clinched the ‘Gold medal’ at the 2015 British Pro Championship in the 95+ kg (purple belt) category. The same year, he also secured the ‘Bronze’ medal at the Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the Absolute 75+ kg (purple belt) category.
- Returning to mixed martial arts, Paul won the BAMMA (British Association of Mixed Martial Arts) World Light Heavyweight Championship in November 2015. He was set to defend his title but the bout was postponed following the death of a Portuguese fighter who used to compete in that promotion.
- The match was rescheduled but Paul had damaged his ankle ligaments by then. He ultimately did not defend this title as he had signed a 4-fight contract with the UFC. He joined the UFC on the back of an 8-0 win-loss record in professional mixed martial arts.
- As of November 2023, Paul had won 8 ‘UFC Bonus Awards’ – ‘Performance of the Night’ (eight times). This put him 2nd in the list of most ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus awards in UFC history.
- As of November 2023, he had held the UFC‘s all-time record for the most triangle choke submission wins in the light heavyweight division (4). He was also ranked 2nd in the UFC‘s history in terms of the most submission wins in the light heavyweight division (6).
Featured Image by Paul Craig / Instagram