UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales - Rodolfo "Trator" Bellato Battles Paul "BearJew" Craig in Light Heavyweight Clash

Prepare for a light heavyweight showdown on the main card of UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales this Saturday, May 17, 2025, live from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brazil's rising prospect Rodolfo "Trator" Bellato steps into the octagon against the veteran Scottish grappling ace Paul "BearJew" Craig. This bout pits youth and momentum against seasoned submission skills.

 

Fighter Backgrounds

Rodolfo Bellato

Rodolfo "Trator" Bellato (12-2-1), representing Team Nogueira in Brazil, is a promising light heavyweight prospect with a strong finishing record. Bellato has secured seven wins via (T)KO and four by submission, showcasing his ability to end fights in multiple ways. He has been building momentum with impressive performances.

Paul Craig

Paul "BearJew" Craig (17-9-1), fighting out of Higher Level Martial Arts in Scotland, is a long-time light heavyweight veteran known for his incredibly dangerous submission game, particularly off his back. Craig has a remarkable thirteen submission victories on his record, often snatching finishes from seemingly disadvantageous positions. He is looking to bounce back from a recent string of losses.

Fighting Styles and Strengths

Rodolfo Bellato

• Well-Rounded Finisher: Bellato can finish fights with both strikes and submissions.
• Power: Possesses fight-ending power in his hands and ground strikes.
• Momentum: Has been on a good run of form leading into this fight.

Paul Craig

• Elite Submission Grappling: Craig is one of the most dangerous submission artists in the light heavyweight division, capable of finishing anyone if the fight hits the mat.
• Opportunistic: Known for finding submissions from unexpected positions.
• Veteran Experience: Has faced many of the top light heavyweights in the UFC.

Recent Performances

Rodolfo Bellato

Rodolfo Bellato is coming off a majority draw against Jimmy Crute in February 2025, a competitive fight. Prior to that, he secured a first-round TKO victory over Ihor Potieria in December 2023 and earned his UFC contract with a first-round TKO win against Murtaza Talha on Dana White's Contender Series in October 2023.

Paul Craig

Paul Craig is looking to snap a three-fight losing streak. His most recent bout was a unanimous decision loss to Bo Nickal in November 2024, a fight fought at middleweight. Prior to that, he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Caio Borralho in May 2024 (at middleweight) and a first-round submission loss to Brendan Allen in November 2023 (at middleweight). His last light heavyweight win was a first-round TKO over Andre Muniz in July 2023.

Odds and Betting Information

Fighter	Odds
Rodolfo Bellato	-500
Paul Craig	+350

Rodolfo Bellato is the significant betting favorite in this light heavyweight main card bout with odds of -500, while the veteran Paul Craig is the underdog at +350.

Keys to Victory

Rodolfo Bellato

• Avoid the Ground Game: Bellato's primary focus should be to keep the fight standing and avoid engaging in grappling exchanges with the dangerous Craig.
• Utilize Striking and Power: Bellato should use his striking and power to look for a knockout on the feet.
• Be Patient: Avoiding rushing in against a fighter known for capitalizing on mistakes.

Paul Craig

• Get the Fight to the Ground: Craig's clearest path to victory is to take Bellato down and utilize his elite submission skills.
• Be Opportunistic: Looking for submissions from any position if the fight hits the mat.
• Capitalize on Bellato's Aggression: If Bellato comes in too aggressively, Craig could look for takedown or submission opportunities.

 

Prediction