Tag: Paul Craig

Paul Craig: Jamahal Hill’s Striking Is Not UFC Level

Interestingly, Paul Craig seems to think Jamahal Hill’s striking is not on par with what is required to stay atop the UFC rankings. The remarks come a bit shocking as the #14 ranked Craig has nearly double the professional fights as Hill with onl…

Interestingly, Paul Craig seems to think Jamahal Hill’s striking is not on par with what is required to stay atop the UFC rankings. The remarks come a bit shocking as the #14 ranked Craig has nearly double the professional fights as Hill with only two TKO/knockout victories. In comparison, Hill has had 8 professional fights, […]

Continue Reading Paul Craig: Jamahal Hill’s Striking Is Not UFC Level at MMA News.

Anthony Smith Eyes Paul Craig Fight After Quick Win At UFC Vegas 15

Anthony SmithFormer light-heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith is open to facing off against Paul Craig next after quickly dispatching of Devin Clark to get back in the win column at UFC Vegas 15. Smith went in to his fight against Clark off the back of two tough losses against Glover Teixeira and Alexander Rakic. He admitted […]

Anthony Smith

Former light-heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith is open to facing off against Paul Craig next after quickly dispatching of Devin Clark to get back in the win column at UFC Vegas 15.

Smith went in to his fight against Clark off the back of two tough losses against Glover Teixeira and Alexander Rakic. He admitted at the UFC Vegas 15 post-fight press conference he had almost forgotten what it felt like to win.

“You forget what it feels like to win,” he said. “I remember what a loss in 2006 felt like as an amateur. I think I put a lot of pressure on myself. I don’t know, it’s been a crazy goddamn year, and it hurts even more when you’re losing to people you know you can beat. Had Glover been a three-round fight, I would have won that fight. Had I not gotten the two leg kicks, I’m fairly confident I beat Rakic. Both of those guys did great jobs, they’re both incredible competitors. Sometimes, the shoe just drops like that. It’s just the break-in, and COVID-19, and getting my teeth knocked out, it’s just a mess, so it feels really good back where I belong.”

‘Lionheart’ went on to explain that he was feeling more pressure than ever heading into his fight with Clark.

“I’m not exactly sure why,” he said. “This one was heavy, though. I don’t know if the stakes are higher, or if it’s in the spotlight. When I was back on the regional scene, no one gave a sh*t cared. I’d lost three or four in a row, and they’re like, whatever. But the whole world is watching when it happens now, and you hear the whispers. Where’s his head at? Is he back to soon? Is he healthy? Does he really want this? Is he too focused on the desk? Is he too worried about his pretty teeth. I hear it all, so you don’t want to prove those people right, and that’s where the pressure comes. And then it’s just a spiral down from there, because then you’re worried about everything else.

Paul Craig, who is coming off an emphatic win over Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua took to Twitter to call for a fight with Smith who is down to make it happen.

“I think I saw something about Paul Craig had brought my name up,” Smith said. “That’s a fun matchup. That’s a fun grappling matchup. I love his style. I could listen to his interviews forever. As long as I have enough time to get ready, I’m good.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

Do you want to see Anthony Smith vs. Paul Craig?

Paul Craig Survives ‘Oil Check’ As Shogun Rua Taps To Strikes – UFC 255 Highlights

CraigFollowing their split draw last year in Brazil, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace, Paul ‘The Bearjew’ Craig holds bragging rights over mixed martial arts institute, Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua via a second-round stoppage victory. The Scottish Hit Squad mainstay utilised his wrestling on cue in the opening-frame to force veteran former PRIDE and UFC titleholder, Rua into grappling […]

Craig

Following their split draw last year in Brazil, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace, Paul ‘The Bearjew’ Craig holds bragging rights over mixed martial arts institute, Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua via a second-round stoppage victory.

The Scottish Hit Squad mainstay utilised his wrestling on cue in the opening-frame to force veteran former PRIDE and UFC titleholder, Rua into grappling exchanges, and with a flurry of strikes from the back as Craig postured, Rua tapped to strikes.

Threatening with an anaconda finish in the first-round, Craig pulled Rua into his own guard, with the fan-favorite Curitiba native scrambling to his feet to see the second frame.

Forced to battle against the fence once again in the second round, Rua was taken down once again, despite a brief “oil check” attempt from the Chute Boxe trainee. Assuming back-mount and posturing, Craig, a prominant grappler from his back usually began raining down with strikes as he forced the 38-year-old Brazilian icon to submit to strikes.

Below, catch the highlights from Craig’s rematch victory over the decorated, Rua.

Shogun Rua vs. Paul Craig 2 Booked For UFC 255

Mauricio RuaShogun Rua and Paul Craig are running it back. Rua and Craig first met last November in the co-main event of UFC Sao Paulo. Entering the fight, many believed the Brazilian would get his hand raised at home. Yet, that was not the case as Craig won the first round with one judge scoring it […]

Mauricio Rua

Shogun Rua and Paul Craig are running it back.

Rua and Craig first met last November in the co-main event of UFC Sao Paulo. Entering the fight, many believed the Brazilian would get his hand raised at home. Yet, that was not the case as Craig won the first round with one judge scoring it a 10-8. Rua then rallied to win the second and third round on two of the three judges scorecards. But, it was not enough as they fought to a split draw with the scorecards being 28-28, 29-28, 28-29.

After the event, many thought a rematch would be next but Rua would go on to fight and beat Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Craig, meanwhile, went on to submit Gadzhimurad Antigulov on the same Fight Island card.

Now, according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Rua and Craig will be running it back on November 21 at UFC 255.

“Shogun Rua vs. Paul Craig 2 is booked for UFC 255 on Nov. 21, sources say. No location yet. The light heavyweights fought to a split draw last November,” Helwani tweeted.

This is a fight many fans thought would happen again and it is a scrap both men have wanted.

“This is a good option. I want this fight, too,” Shogun Rua said after his win. “I want this fight, too, I think (we can do) this fight one more time.”

Shogun Rua is a legend of the sport and has said he only has a couple of fights left. If he goes out and beats Craig he would extend his unbeaten streak to four. He is also a very impressive 5-1-1 in his last seven. The Brazilian is ranked 14th and with a win could get a top-10 guy.

Paul Craig, meanwhile, is ranked 15th in the division and is 5-4-1 inside the Octagon but has notable wins over Magomed Ankalaev and Kennedy Nzechukwu.

UFC 255 is set to be headlined by two flyweight title fights as Deiveson Figueiredo takes on Cody Garbrandt and Valentina Shevchenko faces Jennifer Maia.

Paul Craig Taps Gadzhimurad Antigulov With Triangle Choke – UFC Fight Island 3 Results

Antigulov CraigNext up on the UFC Fight Island 3 main card is a light heavyweight bout between Paul Craig and Gadzhimurad Antigulov. Round 1: Antigulov clinches up with Craig before taking him down. Craig has an aggressive guard and looks to attempt a triangle. He has his legs wrapped around Atigulov’s head but receives a number […]

Antigulov Craig

Next up on the UFC Fight Island 3 main card is a light heavyweight bout between Paul Craig and Gadzhimurad Antigulov.

Round 1: Antigulov clinches up with Craig before taking him down. Craig has an aggressive guard and looks to attempt a triangle. He has his legs wrapped around Atigulov’s head but receives a number of big strikes to the head on the ground at the same time. However, that allows Craig to sink in the triangle properly as he gets the tap!

Official result: Paul Craig defeats Gadzhimurad Antigulov via triangle choke (R1, 2:06).

Mauricio Rua And Paul Craig Battle To Split Draw – UFC Sao Paulo Highlights

Mauricio Rua and Paul Craig battled to a split decision draw in their light heavyweight affair. The pair went back-and-forth in the co-main event of UFC Sao Paulo on Saturday. The first round was all Craig as he landed a number of strikes on Rua. Rua bounced back as the fight went on as he […]

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Mauricio Rua and Paul Craig battled to a split decision draw in their light heavyweight affair.

The pair went back-and-forth in the co-main event of UFC Sao Paulo on Saturday. The first round was all Craig as he landed a number of strikes on Rua.

Rua bounced back as the fight went on as he had top position and landed strikes on his foe in the second and third round. In the end, the judges couldn’t separate either as the verdict was a draw (29-28, 28-29, 28-28).

You can watch the highlights below:

What did you think of the fight and the result?

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