Joe Rogan has never been shy about giving credit where it’s due. During a recent episode of his popular JRE MMA Show, the veteran UFC commentator made a bold statement about Paul Craig, who returns to action at UFC Vegas 106 this Saturday. According to Rogan, Craig’s submission guard isn’t just good—it’s the benchmark that every fighter in the sport should aspire to reach.
Joe Rogan’s Impact as UFC’s Voice of Technical Analysis
For over two decades, Joe Rogan has been more than just a commentator for the UFC—he’s been its technical translator. His ability to break down complex fighting techniques into digestible explanations has educated millions of fans worldwide. When Rogan singles out a fighter’s skill as exceptional, the MMA community listens.
Rogan’s criteria for exceptional performances typically revolve around technical innovation, effectiveness under pressure, and the ability to execute at the highest level. His praise isn’t given lightly, which makes his comments about Paul Craig’s guard at UFC Vegas 106 particularly noteworthy.
“When Joe Rogan says your technique sets the standard, it’s essentially the highest technical compliment you can receive in the sport,” explains former UFC fighter Dan Hardy. “It means you’ve mastered something to a level that others should study.”
Paul Craig: The Submission Specialist Setting New Standards
Nicknamed “Bearjew,” Paul Craig has carved out a reputation as one of the most dangerous submission artists in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. The Scottish fighter has earned six submission victories in the UFC, placing him second all-time in the division’s history for submission wins.
What makes Craig’s approach unique is his comfort fighting off his back—a position most fighters desperately try to avoid. While conventional MMA wisdom suggests that being on your back puts you at a disadvantage, Craig has turned this position into his hunting ground.
At UFC Vegas 106, Craig returns to the light heavyweight division to face Rodolfo Bellato following a three-fight losing streak at middleweight. The 37-year-old veteran has admitted this could be a make-or-break moment for his UFC career.
The Guard Technique That Impressed Joe Rogan
During a previous episode of the JRE MMA Show, Rogan didn’t hold back his admiration for Craig’s submission guard:
“Paul Craig has one of the most dangerous guards in any f—— division, period. Period, full stop. Remember he caught Ankalaev with one second to go in the fight. One second to go, he catches him in a triangle. That’s how good his guard is. His guard is sensational. His guard is what everybody’s guard should strive to be.”
Rogan specifically referenced Craig’s stunning victory over Magomed Ankalaev in 2018—a win that remains the current light heavyweight champion’s only career defeat. With just one second remaining in the fight, Craig managed to lock in a triangle choke and force the tap, creating one of the most dramatic finishes in UFC history.
What Makes Craig’s Guard the “Standard” According to Rogan
The guard position in MMA is a defensive posture where a fighter lies on their back with their legs positioned to control an opponent who is on top. While many fighters use the guard primarily to defend and create space to stand up, Craig has transformed it into an offensive weapon.
MMA analyst Jack Slack explains: “What separates Craig’s guard from others is his combination of patience and explosiveness. He doesn’t rush submissions, but when he sees the opportunity, he commits fully. His triangle setup is particularly deceptive—opponents think they’re safe until suddenly they’re not.”
Historical Context: The Evolution of Guard Play in UFC
To understand why Rogan places such high value on Craig’s guard, we need to look at the evolution of guard play in MMA. The guard position was once the cornerstone of UFC success, with early champions like Royce Gracie winning tournaments by submitting opponents from their backs.
As MMA evolved, the meta shifted toward wrestlers who could control position and strike from the top. This made effective guard players increasingly rare at the highest levels of the sport. Craig represents a throwback to earlier eras while incorporating modern techniques.
| Era | Notable Guard Players | Signature Submissions | Impact on MMA |
| Early UFC (1993-1999) | Royce Gracie, Nino Schembri | Triangle, Armbar | Established BJJ as essential MMA skill |
| Pride/Mid-UFC (2000-2010) | Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Shinya Aoki | Kimura, Omoplata | Advanced guard techniques against stronger wrestlers |
| Modern UFC (2011-2020) | Fabricio Werdum, Brian Ortega | Guillotine, Flying submissions | Integrated guard with striking transitions |
| Current UFC (2021-Present) | Paul Craig, Ryan Hall | Triangle from back control, Leg locks | Specialized submission threats from disadvantaged positions |
Craig’s Most Notable Submissions That Set the Standard
vs. Magomed Ankalaev (2018) – Triangle with 1 second left
vs. Jamahal Hill (2021) – Armbar causing arm injury
vs. Nikita Krylov (2022) – Triangle from bottom position
Each of these victories showcases a different aspect of what makes Craig’s guard so dangerous. Against Ankalaev, it was his never-quit mentality and ability to find a submission with literally one second remaining. The Hill victory demonstrated his control and pressure that can cause physical damage. The Krylov win highlighted his ability to remain calm under heavy ground-and-pound before finding the submission.
Expert and Fan Reactions to Craig’s Guard Technique
“What Paul Craig does from his back is art. Most fighters see being on their back as a losing position. Craig sees it as his canvas. That’s the mindset difference that makes his guard so dangerous.”
“The way Craig baits opponents into his guard and then capitalizes on the smallest mistakes is reminiscent of prime Nogueira. It’s old school but with modern refinements.”
On social media, fans have dubbed Craig “The Scottish Submission Machine” and created compilation videos of his guard work that have garnered millions of views. His ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat has made him a fan favorite despite his recent struggles.
UFC Vegas 106: Craig’s Opportunity to Reinforce the Standard
At UFC Vegas 106 on May 17, Paul Craig returns to the light heavyweight division to face Rodolfo Bellato. This matchup is particularly significant as Craig has openly acknowledged he’s fighting for his UFC future after three consecutive losses at middleweight.
“To lose to them is not an embarrassment but it’s difficult to pick yourself up from three losses because this sport is about entertaining and if you’re not entertaining and you’re not winning, then the UFC have no right to keep you and I know that myself.”
Interestingly, Craig has historically performed best when his back is against the wall—both literally in his fighting style and figuratively in his career. The last time his UFC career was in jeopardy, he pulled off the miraculous last-second submission of Ankalaev that Rogan referenced as the standard-setting performance.
What makes UFC Vegas 106 so important for Paul Craig’s career?
After three consecutive losses at middleweight, Craig has moved back to light heavyweight where he previously found success. He has openly stated that another loss could result in being released from his UFC contract. This high-stakes situation often brings out Craig’s best performances, as evidenced by his previous comeback victories.
How does Rodolfo Bellato match up against Craig’s guard game?
Bellato is a dangerous striker with developing ground skills. While he has submission victories on his record, he typically prefers to keep fights standing. This creates the classic striker vs. grappler dynamic that could play into Craig’s strategy of pulling guard and working for submissions from his back.
Implications for Craig’s Career and Division
Potential Upside
- A submission victory could earn another Performance Bonus (currently has 8)
- Return to light heavyweight division where his guard game has been most effective
- Potential to climb back into relevancy in a division needing contenders
- At 37, could extend his UFC career with an impressive win
Challenges Ahead
- Four consecutive losses would likely end his UFC tenure
- Age factors becoming more significant at 37
- Division has evolved with more submission-aware fighters
- Opponents now specifically train to avoid his guard
Whether Craig can once again demonstrate why Joe Rogan considers his guard the standard for all fighters remains to be seen. What’s certain is that his unique approach to fighting from his back has already left an indelible mark on the sport and influenced a generation of submission specialists.
The Legacy of Setting the Standard
When Joe Rogan declares that a fighter’s technique sets the standard for everyone else to follow, it transcends simple praise—it acknowledges a contribution to the evolution of mixed martial arts. Paul Craig’s guard work represents a specialized skill that has been refined to such a degree that it deserves study and emulation.
As Craig prepares for his crucial bout at UFC Vegas 106, the MMA community will be watching to see if the submission specialist can once again demonstrate why his guard is considered the gold standard. Regardless of the outcome, his approach to turning a traditionally defensive position into an offensive weapon has already secured his place in the technical development of the sport.
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