UFC star Paul Craig as soon as snapped an opponent’s arm earlier than spending the evening with him partying in a membership.
The Scottish fighter took on the undefeated and surging contender, Jamahal Hill, in a light-heavyweight battle at UFC 263 on 12 June 2021.
As he usually does, Craig fell onto his again and invited the bottom sport to which Hill duly obliged. As quickly as Hill got here shut, Craig’s backside sport took over as he trapped the arm and went to work.
As soon as he rolled by means of and bent Hill’s arm round his hip, Craig knew it had snapped and signalled to the referee that the injury was accomplished.
However regardless of flailing in ache, Hill refused to faucet and stayed in place. Craig then started to rain down elbows whereas Hill’s arm simply flopped to the facet.
Ultimately, the referee intervened, and Craig was awarded the victory by way of TKO.
There was a little bit of dangerous blood between the 2 males all through battle week however that was rapidly put apart after the bout as they embraced within the octagon and confirmed mutual respect.
After visiting an Arizona hospital, Hill met up with Craig at a neighborhood nightclub and in line with him, they’d a whale of a time.
“Me and Paul Craig are good so [I don’t care] what anyone else is speaking and never solely did he get my drunk the entire evening we straight turnt tf up!!!” Hill mentioned on social media.
“I’m blessed dwelling my dream and assembly a few of the most wonderful ppl!!!#Stillwinning
“Very first thing he mentioned within the cage to me was ‘I’m a very good individual, idk what was mentioned however I’ve nothing however respect for you’ an [sic] I noticed I let trolls paint an image and decide any person off of that and it’ll ever occur once more!!! I’m nonetheless going to speak my s*** tho!!!”
Nearly two years later, Craig and Hill will share the identical card at UFC 283.
‘Candy Desires’ is about to headline the present in Rio De Janeiro on January 21 when he fights former champion Glover Teixeira for the vacant light-heavyweight title.
Hill has picked up three consecutive knockout wins since falling brief in opposition to Craig and acquired the decision to battle for the vacant 205lb belt when Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev fought to a draw of their December title battle.
Jiri Prochakza was the final champion within the weight class however gave up his title after struggling a shoulder damage that’s anticipated to maintain him out for many, if not all, of 2023.
After stretching his unbeaten streak to 5 by stopping Hill, Craig picked up one other spectacular submission victory over Nikita Krylov at UFC London in March 2022.
Nonetheless, his successful run got here to an finish a couple of months later when MMA’s premier promotion returned to the UK for an additional large present at London’s O2 Area.
‘Bearjew’ misplaced a unanimous resolution in opposition to long-time contender Volkan Oezdemir and has now been booked to face thrilling knockout artist Johnny Walker at UFC 283.
Craig just lately informed talkSPORT that he plans to KO Walker earlier than rapidly turning round to face Anthony Smith in a light-heavyweight title eliminator bout at UFC 286 on March 18 in London.
The 35-year-old believes that back-to-back wins over Walker and Smith will put him in place for a title shot, particularly if Hill turns into the champion by beating Teixeira.
