Jimmy Crute is the real deal!!
Another big big finish at #UFCFightIsland6#InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/yeJ7TBIivu— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) October 18, 2020
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Jimmy Crute has transitioned from regional curiosity to blue-chip prospect to full-fledged contender in what amounts to the blink of an eye since he joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship roster a little more than three years ago.
The 25-year-old Australian will attempt to bounce back from just the second defeat of his career when he confronts Jamahal Hill in a UFC on ESPN 31 light heavyweight showcase on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Crute has registered four wins across his six assignments inside the Octagon. He last competed at UFC 261, where he was victimized by former Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder Anthony Smith in a first-round technical knockout on April 24.
As Crute makes final preparations for his pivotal battle with Hill, here are five things you might not know about him:
1. His beginnings were humble.
Crute was born on March 4, 1996 in Singleton, Australia—a city of roughly 16,000 people located 125 miles north of Sydney. He shares a hometown with Joy McKean, a woman recognized as one of the matriarchs of Australian country music.
2. His martial arts upbringing covered all the bases.
“The Brute” started his formal karate training at age 4, judo at age 8 and Brazilian jiu-jitsu at age 11. Crute holds the rank of black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and trains under 1999 K-1 World Grand Prix semifinalist Sam Greco. Boxers populate both sides of his family.
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3. He maximized his youth.
Crute made his professional mixed martial arts debut at the age of 19 on Feb. 20, 2016, when he submitted Ben Kelleher with an armbar 4:00 into the first round of their Hex Fighting Series 5 pairing in Melbourne, Australia. He posted three victories before he turned 21.
4. Sprints and marathons both suit him.
The Australian contender has eight first-round finishes to his credit, having authored three of them inside the Octagon. Crute put away Sam Alvey with punches in 2:49 at UFC 234 on Feb. 9, 2019, submitted Michal Oleksiejczuk with a kimura in 3:29 at UFC Fight Night 168 on Feb. 23, 2020 and punched out Modestas Bukauskas in 2:01 at UFC Fight Night 180 on Oct. 17, 2020. He has also gone the distance on three occasions—he has been pushed across five full rounds twice—and owns a 3-0 mark in those appearances.
5. He has already enjoyed some of the fruits of his labor.
Crute captured the Hex Fight Series light heavyweight championship when he submitted Kelleher with an arm-triangle choke 83 seconds into their HFS 9 rematch in June 2017. He successfully defended it on two occasions before signing to compete on Dana White’s Contender Series and ultimately landing in the UFC.