Paul Craig shines in middleweight debut with second-round TKO of Andre Muniz

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LONDON — Paul Craig reigned supreme on the court in what was a successful debut at middleweight.

On the main card of UFC Fight Night 224 at The O2 in London, Craig (17-6-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) had no problem battling on the ground with top grappler Andre Muniz (23-6 MMA, 5-2 UFC) until he finally got the finish. Craig scored a TKO stoppage of Muniz at 4:40 of Round 2 (via Twitter):

In the first round, the two exchanged kicks from range before Muniz landed a takedown in the final minute of the round. However, to kick off the second round, Craig was the one who landed the takedown, but got caught in a triangle choke.

Craig got away with it and was shot shortly after. The two traded takedowns until Craig was able to immobilize Muniz, going from a D’Arce choke submission to a full mount. Craig rained down vicious elbows to the ground and the pound until the referee stepped in to forfeit the fight.

With the win, Craig snapped a two-fight losing skid in his middleweight debut. “Bearjew” spent the first 23 fights of his professional career fighting at light heavyweight.

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The most recent results from UFC Fight Night 224 include:

  • Paul Craig beats. Andre Muniz via TKO (elbows) – Round 2, 4:14

  • Lerone Murphy beats. Josh Culibao by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

  • Daniel Marcos beats. Davey Grant via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

  • Jonny Parsons beats. Danny Roberts TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:57

  • Joel Alvarez beats. Marc Diakiese via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 4:26

  • Mick Parkin beats. Jamal Pogues via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

  • Makhmud Muradov defeats. Bryan Barberena via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

  • Ketlen Vieira defeats. Pannie Kianzad via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

  • Chris Duncan beats. Yanal Ashmouz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

  • Bruna Brasil beats. Shauna Bannon by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

  • Jafel Filho beats. Daniel Barez via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 1:34

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s Event Hub for UFC Fight Night 224.

The story originally appeared on MMA Junkie

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