5 of the most dangerous submission artists currently competing in the UFC

#2. Paul Craig - UFC light heavyweight

Scotland is typically not a country known for producing high-level submission artists and yet, Paul Craig is one of the best in the UFC. Craig has thrived in the light heavyweight division, where the majority of the fighters tend to be strikers or ground-and-pound specialists.

UFC Fight Night: Craig v Antigulov

He has occasionally been caught out in striking exchanges but, to give Craig credit, his standup has vastly improved over the past few years. However, if the fight hits the mat, the Scotsman's threat level increases exponentially.

In Craig's most recent UFC appearance, he faced off against undefeated knockout artist Jamahal Hill. The fight did not make it out of the first round as Craig locked in a vicious triangle armbar that completely dislocated Hill's arm. Bizarrely, the referee allowed the fight to continue after the dislocation. Craig kept the submission on whilst simultaneously dropping elbows to pick up the TKO stoppage.

Jamahal Hill avoided a break against Paul Craig, his management @SuckerPunchEnt tells me. Hill has been diagnosed with a dislocation, but is in good spirits all things considered. #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/qt2k5sZTfS

— Nolan King (@mma_kings) June 13, 2021

He also holds submission finishes over high-level opposition such as Magomed Ankaleav, Maurico 'Shogun' Rua and Kennedy Nzechukwu. Craig will now face former title challenger Alexander Gustaffson in what may well be his toughest test to date.

#1. Charles Oliveira - UFC lightweight

UFC lightweight champion Charles 'do Bronx' Oliveira is undeniably the most dangerous submission artist in the UFC right now. He currently holds a record of 31-8, with 19 of his wins coming by way of submission.

UFC 262: Charles Oliveira v Michael Chandler

Out of all the fighters on this list, it is Oliveira who has the greatest variety in his finishes, with guillotines, anacondas, triangles, RNCs and even a calf slicer all on his resume.

He's currently riding a nine-fight winning streak with five of the wins ending by way of submission. He has also managed to adapt his style so that he is no longer just a BJJ fighter looking to get a quick win via submission. He is now a lethal striker, who relishes the moment his opponent decides to attempt to take the fight to the ground.

Oliveira is set to make his first title defense sometime in the fall of 2021. His opponent will be the man many consider to be the greatest active UFC lightweight, Dustin 'The Diamond' Poirier.