In a night that promised fireworks at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, the light-heavyweight clash between Paul Craig and Rodolfo Bellato turned from a statement bout into a hotbed of controversy. The fight ended not with a decisive knockout or a slick submission, but with an illegal upkick and a no contest ruling that left both fighters—and fans—stunned.
As the first round ticked toward its conclusion, Craig, fighting off his back, launched a sudden upkick that connected flush with Bellato’s head and neck. Bellato collapsed with his arms raised, a scene that would fuel one of the most polarizing moments in recent UFC memory.
“It Was a Strong Kick”: Bellato Defends Himself
The reaction was immediate and visceral. Critics online and even some former fighters, like Justin Lesko, didn’t hold back. Lesko lambasted Bellato’s reaction, branding it “embarrassing” and questioning if the Brazilian was acting: “Was this the worst flop in UFC history, or was Rodolfo Bellato really hurt?”
Bellato, however, broke his silence with a heartfelt message on Instagram.
“When I was on the ground, I didn’t expect to get kicked in the face (illegally). It was a strong kick. When I looked at the judge to complain, my whole body started to tingle and my vision disappeared … after that I don’t remember anything.”
With fans and pundits questioning his integrity, Bellato was firm in his response.
“I have never run away from a fight. I made the weight twice in less than 30 days, two trips in a row. Why would I fake something, after everything I’ve been through and on top of that winning the first round?”
Craig’s Reaction: A Fighter Owning His Mistake
Paul Craig, the 37-year-old Scottish veteran, wasn’t looking to ignite a scandal. In fact, he urged fans and media alike to step back from crucifying Bellato.
“A few people have messaged me regarding [Bellato’s conduct] and are saying that it looked a bit ‘floppish’… I don’t want to think any fighter is looking for an easy way out in this sport.”
He continued with what many called a commendable level of accountability and sportsmanship:
“We’re all fighters, we’re all in the UFC – the pinnacle of our careers – and we’re looking to put on performances… It’s my fault as much as it is his fault. We shouldn’t be looking to persecute him if he’s taking the knee. It was an illegal move.”
The Emotional Toll on Craig
For Craig, this wasn’t just another fight. It was the final bout on his UFC contract, a potential make-or-break moment following a three-fight losing streak. Not only did he step up a weight class for this matchup, but he also carried the emotional baggage of their previous bout, postponed 14 weeks prior due to Bellato’s sudden illness.
“I was wanting to make a stamp in that division and say: ‘Hey, I’m back.’”
Instead, Craig was left in a swirl of uncertainty and frustration.
“I was in the neutral corner, I was looking over and I was seeing him kind of flop like he was trying to wrestle the referee… But when I spoke to him, he seemed pretty compos mentis.”
Even with his raw emotions and career crossroads looming large, Craig found a silver lining.
“I’ve got to take positives from it. I felt good in there and I was moving well. I was landing my shots and my shot selection was perfect.”
What’s Next for Both Fighters?
With the fight ruled a no contest, both Craig and Bellato find themselves in limbo. Bellato, just 29 and still fresh in his UFC tenure, will hope to bounce back from the backlash with a more conclusive showing. For Craig, questions swirl around whether the UFC will renew his contract—and if this anticlimactic ending affects that decision.
While both men had different nights in the Octagon, they share one thing in common: the aftermath has tested their resilience as much as any opponent ever could.
“Don’t persecute him. It was an illegal move. I own that.”
A Reminder of MMA’s Unpredictable Theater
In the world of mixed martial arts, the line between hero and villain is razor-thin. On Saturday night in Atlanta, both Paul Craig and Rodolfo Bellato stepped onto that tightrope—and fell into the chaos that only combat sports can deliver. Whether this bout becomes a footnote or a flashpoint in their careers depends on what comes next. But if nothing else, it served as a powerful reminder: in the UFC, anything can happen—and often does.