New Contract for a 37-Year-Old Fighter: Does the Seasoned Veteran Have Another Run in Him?
On a card that has been labeled as “Brazil versus France,” one Scottish fighter stands out against the Paris background. Paul Craig, ever the fan-favorite veteran, signed a new five-fight contract at the end of June. Craig, ranked 34th at Light Heavyweight, is no stranger to an active schedule. Despite being 37 years old, Craig has made it a habit to keep a steady fight schedule of two to three fights every year since his UFC debut in 2016. With a peculiar record housing both losses to the unremarkable as well as wins over, at the time, future champions, Craig has made a name for himself as an unconventional, but beloved fighter. This weekend, he has a chance to get back in the win column following a three-fight losing skid capped by a no-contest in June.
Craig’s opponent, Modestas Bukaukas, is following an opposite trend to the older fighter. The 31-year-old is hot off a three-fight win streak and rearing to add a fourth. His kickboxing is brutal and damaging. Quick strikes and a deep toolbox of body kicks make for a difficult outing for any opponent engaging with this Lithuanian striker. This is not in any way to say he lacks in the grappling department. Bukaukas is a Brazilian jiujitsu purple belt and has demonstrated his expertise several times inside the octagon. However, overconfidence in his grappling may be what leads to the young man’s demise as he tries to upset Craig.
Craig’s best asset is his Brazilian jiujitsu. A black belt under coach Brian Gallacher, Craig has used his grappling to submit both Magomed Ankalaev and Jamahal Hill, current and former champions, early on in their UFC careers. The threat of submission is always within arm’s reach with Craig to ignore that is to allow yourself huge holes in your game. Both opponents this weekend have shared a KO loss to Light Heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree. Each fighter relied too heavily on their striking and ultimately let it be their undoing. This weekend, we will see if either fighter is willing to make up for their own weaknesses and improve past their old habits. With three losses and time against him, all eyes will be focused on Paul Craig as he battles it out with Bukaukas to determine whether he starts off his new contract with a win or a heartbreaking loss.
