UFC Paris on Saturday had everything, from stunning KOs to an emotional retirement after a brutal loss.
The premier promotion returned to the French capital on Saturday for another UFC Paris Fight Night, headlined by middleweight contenders Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho.
Also on the card was popular light heavyweight contender Paul Craig, who was looking to snap a disappointing four fight streak in which he hadn’t picked up a win.
On the other side of the Octagon from the Scotsman was Modestas Bukauskas, who was riding an impressive three fight win streak coming into his clash in the capital.
Paul Craig emotionally retires after brutal KO loss
At one point in his career, ‘Bearjew’ Craig was widely regarded as a dark horse in the light heavyweight division and was a staple of the top 15 rankings.
The Scottish fighter even scored a win over the current light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev in 2018, scoring the triangle choke win with just one second remaining in their fight.
However, age has officially caught up with Craig, who was viciously knocked out by ‘The Gladiator’ with just one second remaining of round one.
After a dominant first round from Bukauskas, he pressed Craig up against the cage, where Craig looked to pull guard in typical Craig fashion.
Things went badly, though, for Craig as he found himself in bottom position as Modestas rained down heavy ground-and-pound. And with just one second left, he landed a huge elbow which put Craig’s lights out and ended the fight.
Fortunately Craig made it back to his feet shortly after and made the decision to take off his gloves, which only signified one thing.
“Guys, thank you so much for the memories, this is why I do this, but this sport, the young eat the old and I’m old, thank you for the memories,” Craig said in his Octagon interview.
Joe Rogan reacts to Craig’s retirement
With it being an international Fight Night event, Joe Rogan wasn’t on commentary duties and instead hosted a fight companion on his YouTube channel.
“Paul Craig just retired? Yeah, that’s enough. I mean, that guy has been KO’d a gang of times, he’s a great guy and very smart too. By the way, has a f—— submission victory over the champion Magomed Ankalaev.
“His triangle is so tight and so quick too. With one second to go in the third round, whipped up the triangle and made him tap with one second to go,” Rogan continued.