Scotland’s Paul Craig is getting a considerable step up in competition this July.
On Thursday, UFC officials announced that Craig (16-4-1) would return as part of the UFC London card on July 23, 2022. The “Bear Jew” has been set to face off with former light heavyweight title challenger Volkan Oezdemir at the event, set to unfold once again at the O2 Arena in London, England.
Craig last competed this past March, as part of the promotion’s return to the British capital after three years away. There, he caught Nikita Krylov in a triangle choke in the opening round, forcing a tap.
With a record of 5-0-1 in his last six fights, Paul Craig has been on quite a roll of late. All five of those wins have come via stoppage; the draw, with Shogun Rua, was later avenged when Paul won the rematch a year later.
Volkan Oezdemir has struggled to find consistency since facing Daniel Cormier for 205 pound gold back in 2018. He’s 2-4 since his title fight loss, and has dropped back-to-back fights against Jiri Prochazka and Magomed Ankalaev.
Topped by a clash of heavyweights in the form of Curtis Blaydes against Tom Aspinall, July 23’s UFC London card currently shapes up as follows:
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Tom Aspinall
- Jack Hermansson vs. Darren Till
- Molly McCann vs. Hannah Goldy
- Muhammad Mokaev vs. Charles Johnson
- Alexander Gustafsson vs. Nikita Krylov
- Victoria Leonardo vs. Mandy Böhm
- Paul Craig vs. Volkan Oezdemir
