Joe Rogan is a big admirer of a dangerous submission artist who steps back inside the Octagon on May 17.
Saturday night sees the return of the Apex in Las Vegas for UFC Vegas 106, headlined by Gilbert Burns vs Michael Morales at welterweight.
There’s clear stakes in the headliner with ‘Durinho’ putting his spot in the top 10 on the line against a surging, undefeated contender who has continued to impress with each outing.
While the co-main event may not have the same top 15 implications, it’s still a massively important fight for a 19-fight UFC veteran.
Paul Craig has earned many of his wins by submitting his opponents from his back and he’s in need of another remarkable finish to bounce back into the win column.
- READ MORE: Only man to defeat Reinier de Ridder says only one UFC middleweight can stop the rising contender
Joe Rogan said that every fighter should strive to have Paul Craig’s guard
Since debuting in the UFC in 2016, Paul Craig’s ability to finish opponents has seen him write his name into the history books.
The Scottish competitor is tied second for the most performance of the night bonuses in UFC history (8) and has the second most submission wins in UFC light heavyweight history (6).
In nine UFC wins, he’s submitted the likes of Magomed Ankalaev, Jamahal Hill, and Nikita Krylov thanks to his ability to trap opponents in his guard.
All three of those wins came when opponents looked to dominate ‘Bearjew’ from the top until they were caught in one of his many submission attempts.
In a previous episode of the JRE MMA Show from last year, Joe Rogan said that every fighter should be trying to have as dangerous a guard as Craig, specifically referring to the win over Ankalaev from 2018 which remains the current champion’s only career defeat.
“Paul Craig has one of the most dangerous guards in any f—— division, period. Period, full stop. Remember he caught Ankalaev with one second to go in the fight. One second to go, he catches him in a triangle.
“That’s how good his guard is. His guard is sensational. His guard is what everybody’s guard should strive to be.”
Paul Craig admits that he’s fighting for his spot on the roster at UFC Vegas 106
At UFC Vegas 106, Paul Craig makes his return to the light heavyweight division to fight Rodolfo Bellato following a three-fight losing streak at middleweight.
The 37-year-old admitted during fight week that he’s likely fighting to keep his UFC career alive on May 17.
“To lose to them is not an embarrassment but it’s difficult to pick yourself up from three losses because this sport is about entertaining and if you’re not entertaining and you’re not winning, then the UFC have no right to keep you and I know that myself.
“I’m not under any illusion that a loss come Saturday night would potentially result in me not having a UFC contract on Monday morning.”
As Craig went on to say, he has been known to perform at his best when his back is against the wall.
The last time that his career was on the line, he pulled off one of the best comebacks in UFC history, submitting the current light heavyweight champion with one second left on the clock.