By TXMMA Staff | Photo: UFC.com, Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Houston-based fighter set to appear on UFC Fight Night 30 undercard
October 22, 2013 – It’s the continuation of a dream for one Houston resident this Saturday as Team Tooke’s Andrew Craig (9-1) steps back into the cage on the UFC Fight Night 30 undercard opposite yet another home country favorite in the UK’s homegrown TUF star Luke Barnatt (6-0).
Andrew Craig was most recently in the cage this past summer at UFC 162 when he earned his most significant career win yet with a decision over one of the sport’s most recognized vets in knockout artist Chris Leben. That loss put him back on the right path following a loss to Ronny Markes in Brazil (the first of his career). He now stands with a record of 9-1 overall and an impressive 3-1 record in the UFC since debuting as a former Legacy FC champion back in March 2012.
As for his opponent, Luke Barnatt has a background including a stint as a castmember on FX’s The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen (TUF 17). The first pick of Coach Chael Sonnen on that show, Barnatt made it to the quarterfinals, losing to Dylan Andrews. He would go on to face fellow castmate Collin Hart at the TUF 17 Finale and earn his first UFC win by decision. This bout with Craig represents his sophomore bout in the UFC.
The bout represents a significant opportunity for both men. Specifically for Andrew Craig it’s an opportunity to move further up the divisional rankings. His previous win over Leben was the biggest of his career so far and following it up with a victory over Barnatt would make him 4-1 as a UFC middleweight and should place him squarely in the mid-card with additional opportunity to move up in contention.
Andrew Craig (Team Tooke)
Overall Record: 9-1 overall, 3-1 UFC
Biggest Win(s): Chris Leben, Rafael Natal
Strengths: Very resilient fighter, hard to finish, gets better as the fight goes on.
What he needs to do to win: Dictate the pace, control position, control the fight on the inside.
Luke Barnatt (Tsunami Gym)
Overall Record: 6-0 overall, 1-0 UFC
Biggest Win(s): Colin Hart
Strengths: Well-rounded fighter with balanced skill set striking and with submission.
What he needs to do to win: Pick Craig off from the outside, maintain pace in the later rounds.
UFC Fight Night 30: Machida vs. Munoz – Quick Card
UFC Fight Night 30 – Main Card (Fox Sports 2, 2PM CST)
- Lyoto Machida (19-4) vs. Mark Munoz (13-3)
- Ross Pearson (15-6) vs. Melvin Guillard (31-12-2)
- Jimi Manuwa (13-0) vs. Ryan Jimmo (18-2)
- Norman Parke (18-2) vs. Jon Tuck (7-0)
- Alessio Sakara (19-10) vs. Nicholas Musoke (10-2-1)
- Phil Harris (22-10) vs. John Lineker (22-6)
UFC Fight Night 30 – Prelims (Facebook, 11AM CST)
- Al Iaquinta (6-2-1) vs. Piotr Hallmann (14-1)
- Luke Barnatt (6-0) vs. Andrew Craig (9-1)
- Rosi Sexton (13-3) vs. Jessica Andrade (9-3)
- Andy Ogle (9-2) vs. Cole Miller (19-8)
- Brad Scott (8-2) vs. Michael Kuiper (12-2)
- Jimy Hettes (10-1) vs. Robert Whiteford (10-1)