Scottish light heavyweight Paul Craig said his decision to retire after losing to Lithuanian Modestas Bukauskas at UFC Fight Night 258 was not made in the heat of the moment.
Paul Craig on The Ariel Helwani show
I made a deal with myself, win, lose, or draw, I was walking away. I know a lot of people leave this sport with a sour taste, but I’m definitely not leaving a sour taste in my mouth. The last thing you want is the whole Tony Ferguson thing, where people are looking at his previous fights. That’s why I wanted to leave.
On September 6 at the UFC event in Paris, Craig was knocked out by Bukauskas in the first round.
Craig’s previous fight was against Rodolfo Bellato in June 2025 at UFC on ESPN 69; that bout was ruled a no contest due to an illegal blow. Craig’s record stands at 17 wins, ten losses and one draw, with one no contest.
