UFC London: Paul Craig vs. Volkan Oezdemir
Round 1
Oezdemir starts off with some jab attempts to push Craig back. Craig goes for a takedown and pulls guard but fails to get Oezdemir on the ground. Relentless pressure from Craig to take it to the ground. Craig has got his leg and got it to the ground. Craig looking to get a heel hook here as he looks to turn. Oezdemir trying his best to stay away but has his leg caught. Craig extends the leg and Oezdemir is able to get up. Craig goes for the takedown again and has Oezdemir in guard. Oezdemir stays postured up and lands light hammer fists. Craig has locked Oezdemir’s left arm and his left leg keeping him from getting up. They both get back to their feet. Craig trying to take it to the ground again. Craig with an outside kick after a straight. Oezdemir fires back with punches and has Craig on the ground. Craig tries to lure him into his guard but Oezdemir refuses. Nice little left from Craig followed up by a head kick.
Round 2
Craig is on the outside, he goes for a leg kick and Oezdemir catches it. Craig is back on the ground and the ref lets him stand up. Good right hand off the jab by Craig. Outside low kick followed up by two more kicks before going for a takedown. Oezdemir escapes and faces a fired up Craig going for the kicks. Craig has Oezdemir in half guard on the ground. Craig lands a huge left from the back while Oezdemir was on the way up. Great pressure from Craig here, he’s kept it constant with multiple kick combinations peppered in with punches to take the fight to the ground. Ref gets them back up. Oezdemir connects with a right. Spinning back elbow from Craig lands. The two trade strikes in the middle. Oezdemir lands a few shots and Craig takes it back to the ground. The ref has them back up again. Oezdemir hits a big right and Craig pulls the guard again.
Round 3
Oezdemir opens with a jab attempt and a low kick. Oezdemir hits a big right and has Craig wobbled. Craig goes down and Oezdemir lands some big shots here before Craig tried a submission. Oezdemir gets out and the ref lets Craig back up. Craig lands a nice calf kick and goes in to pull Oezdemir into guard, unsuccessfully. The ref gets him back up again. Both men cautiously trade standup strikes. Craig feints a jab and goes for a takedown but fails. Craig again trying to pull Oezdemir in guard but fails. Good right from Craig. Craig attempts multiple strikes combination. Another failed attempt by Craig to pull him in.
Official Result: Volkan Oezdemir defeats Paul Craig via unanimous decision (30-27 x3).
Check out the highlights below:
That intensity from @PCraigMMA, though 👀 #UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/ajj38qL4nd
— UFC (@ufc) July 23, 2022
Went wire-to-wire to secure the hard-earned victory tonight! 💪
[ @Volkan_Oezdemir | #UFCLondon | LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/Ss1qcmC220
— UFC (@ufc) July 23, 2022
Who had Paul Craig head kicks on their bingo card? 😅 #UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/jGGVik5wQS
— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) July 23, 2022
