Is Paul Craig Scottish? Ethnicity, Religion, Background & More

Paul Craig’s ‘Braveheart’ inspired war-paint during his weigh-ins holds a lot of clues about where he comes from! Known as the ‘Bearjew,’ Craig brings more than just a unique nickname to the Octagon; he brings a story rooted in grit, resilience, and Scottish pride. As he gears up to face Rodolfo Bellato at UFC Vegas 106, fans are eager to know more than just his stats.

After three straight losses in the middleweight division, Craig is now heading back to light heavyweight, his old hunting ground. But before he steps into the Octagon, let’s take a look at all we know about his origins, identity, and personal beliefs!

Where is Paul Craig from? Ethnicity and nationality

 Yes, Paul Craig is as Scottish as they come. Born on November 27, 1987, in the town of Airdrie, Scotland, Craig wears his roots like a badge of honor. You can hear it in his accent and his previously mentioned war-paint.

Before he was twisting limbs inside a cage, Craig lived a different life. He once worked as a high school teacher. He also played and coached football for a nonprofit organization. Alongside fellow fighters Chris Bungard and Ross Cooper, he also co-hosts a podcast called Leather’d.

He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Brian Gallacher and has racked up multiple BJJ titles from 2013 to 2015. One of his standout achievements? A third-place finish in the Absolute Purple division at the 2015 Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Craig’s journey through MMA began almost by accident. As he once said, “I was dragged to a Jits class by a friend five years ago and found I was pretty good at holding half-naked sweaty guys to the ground.” From there, he added boxing and soon made waves with a perfect 8-0 amateur record. That earned him a UFC contract, and the rest is history. So, what are the spiritual beliefs that have guided him on his journey so far?

Which religion does Paul Craig follow?

With a nickname like ‘Bearjew,’ many have wondered if Paul Craig is Jewish. The short answer? No, he isn’t. Speculation about his faith began when fans latched onto the nickname, which mirrors Eli Roth’s character in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds. But Craig has made it clear that there’s no religious meaning behind it. He even mentioned in a podcast that he does not like to give the meaning behind his nickname.

Despite the many questions and rumors, Craig’s religious beliefs remain private. He hasn’t confirmed any specific faith publicly. It seems that, much like his nickname, he prefers to keep that part of his life locked away. And perhaps that’s part of the mystique!

Now, as Paul Craig prepares to face Rodolfo Bellato at UFC Vegas 106, he returns to light heavyweight, the division where he once toppled big names like Jamahal Hill and Magomed Ankalaev. Can Scotland’s warrior roar once more at 205 lbs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!