Scotland Legend Paul Craig Retires After UFC Paris Knockout

Paul Craig, a British fighter, retired from his professional career after losing to Modestas Bukauskas at UFC Paris. Craig, who won 17 out of his 29 fights, was knocked out by an elbow in the first round at the Accor Arena.

The 37-year-old, the most successful Scottish fighter in UFC history, won nine out of 21 fights in the UFC. He defeated fighters like Magomed Ankalaev and Jamahal Hill during his career.

Craig, known for his grappling skills, had six wins by submission in the light-heavyweight division, ranking second behind Glover Teixeira. Despite his retirement, Craig expressed gratitude for the memories and acknowledged the competitive nature of the sport.

Craig's fighting style was known for its entertainment value, with most of his fights ending in stoppages rather than decisions. He had a record of just two decisions in his 29 fights.

After a successful period with five consecutive wins, Craig's form declined, leading to only one victory in his last eight bouts. In his final fight, he attempted his signature triangle choke but was knocked out by Bukauskas in the last second of the round.

Following the fight, Craig was attended to by medical staff and received support from Bukauskas. He then retired by placing his gloves in the center of the canvas, thanking the audience for their support. Craig's retirement follows that of Molly McCann earlier in the year.

Fellow UFC fighters, including Aljamain Sterling and Tom Aspinall, praised Craig for his career achievements. Craig, known for his signature face paint in Scottish colors, won his UFC debut in 2016 via submission and retired without ever winning a fight by points.