Warning: this article contains discussion of eating disorders
Paul Craig says he developed an eating disorder while cutting weight for his four-fight stint at middleweight and has urged any fighter who has experienced the same to “get help and support”.
The 37-year-old Scotsman, who has spent the majority of his 11-year career at light-heavyweight, moved down to middleweight in 2023 with a submission win over Andre Muniz.
Craig, who lost his next three fights in the division, said he restricted his calorie intake for 10 weeks leading up to the bouts.
Craig weighs around 220lb (15st 7lb) normally and described the cut to the UFC’s middleweight threshold of 185lb (13st 2lb) as “horrible”.
“I set myself a goal of being middleweight champion and focussed and did it. But mentally, I ended up with an eating disorder,” said Craig.
“The best thing I did was talk to people about it because for a long time I was embarrassed of it.
“I do believe there are other fighters out there going through this so put it out there, get the help and support.”
The National Health Service (NHS) describes an eating disorder, external as a mental health condition where people use the control of food to cope with feelings and other situations.
Unhealthy eating behaviours may include eating too much, too little, disordered eating or worrying about body weight or shape.
“The things fighters will do to their bodies is incredible. [At middleweight] I had low testosterone, low white blood cells, I kept getting infections because I had nothing to fight them off,” he said.
“I had really low body fat percentage – but the goal was to be champion and be in the top-10 and [at the time] I’d do anything to do it.”
Craig said after reaching out for help he was able to develop a “healthier relationship” with food.
It is common practice for fighters to shed weight before fights and in recent years the UFC has taken steps to make weight cuts safer.
The promotion company built the Performance Institute, which provides guidance for athletes from professional health experts.
Intravenous drips are now banned, which forces fighters to hydrate in a healthier way.
UFC fighters are also recommended to lose no more than 8% of their body weight during fight week and stay within 10% of their weight class on fight night.
Craig, who last fought against Bo Nickal in November, returns to light-heavyweight against Brazil’s Rodolfo Bellato in Las Vegas on Saturday, aiming to halt a three-fight losing streak.
The fight against 29-year-old Bellato represents Craig’s 20th bout in the UFC since his debut in the promotion in 2016.
He has won nine of those bouts, lost nine and drawn one, but the current losing streak sees Craig questioning his future in the organisation if he doesn’t triumph on Saturday.
“It’s difficult to pick yourself up after three losses because this sport is about entertaining. This sport is about winning. And if you’re not entertaining, the UFC has no right to keep you,” said Craig.
“I’m under no illusion a loss on Saturday night potentially results in me not having a UFC contract come Monday morning. That for me is a fire and I do my best work when my back is against the wall and everybody has written me off.”
