Britain’s Paul Craig brought his distinguished 29-fight career to a close as he announced his retirement following defeat by Modestas Bukauskas at UFC Paris.
Craig, the most successful Scottish fighter in UFC history, was knocked out by a brutal elbow on the ground at the end of the first round at the Accor Arena.
The 37-year-old leaves the sport having won nine of his 21 fights in the UFC with victories over current light-heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev and former champion Jamahal Hill.
“This sport, the young eat the old and I’m old. Thank you for the memories,” said Craig.
Whether Craig won or lost, his record of just two decisions in 29 fights is evidence of his ability to put on entertaining fights – with most of them ending in a stoppage.
He made a name for himself as grappling specialist in the UFC, with his six wins by submission being the second-most in light-heavyweight history behind Glover Teixeira’s seven.
After a five-fight win streak between 2019 and 2022, Craig’s form dipped and he came into the contest with Lithuanian-Briton Bukauskus with only one victory in eight bouts.
After surviving until the final 10 seconds of the first round, Craig pulled guard and dropped to the ground – a move which proved to be his downfall.
