High stakes!
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Paul Craig returns to the Light Heavyweight division, where he achieved his greatest success, in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 107 this weekend (Sat., May 17, 2025). He faces Brazilian powerhouse Rodolfo Bellato inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After a disastrous 1-3 run at Middleweight, with his sole victory against Andre Muniz (watch highlights), “Bearjew” finds himself on a three-fight losing streak—the first of his career. In UFC, a fourth consecutive loss often leads to a pink slip, and Craig is acutely aware of the stakes, fueling his drive to reclaim a spot in the winner’s circle.
“That move to Middleweight at the time was a great idea, and after the victory over Muniz in London, it was incredible, but I didn’t really get a chance to get running as a Middleweight,” Craig told reporters during UFC Vegas 107 media day. “That’s because I had three high-level opponents in front of me. I had Caio Borralho, Brendan Allen, and Bo Nickal, so those are no slouches, and it wasn’t embarrassing to lose to them.
“But it’s difficult to pick yourself up from three losses because this sport is about entertaining, and if you’re not winning, then the UFC has no reason to keep you,” Craig added. “I know that myself. I’m not under any illusion that a loss on Saturday night could result in me not having a UFC contract on Monday morning.
“So, that for me is fire, and that’s what I think I need,” Craig concluded. “I do my best work when my back is against the wall and everyone is writing me off.”
At 37, Craig faces a formidable challenge. Bellato boasts a 90 percent finish rate, with seven knockouts—a threat Craig has historically struggled to counter. Yet, with his career on the line, the Scotsman might just summon the performance of a lifetime.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 106 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” undercard bouts at 4 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining main card balance (also streaming on ESPN+) at 7 p.m. ET.
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