Jimmy Crute vows to be coming back as a different fighter at UFC 284.
Crute (12-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) returns from an over year-long layoff when he takes on Alonzo Menifield (13-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 284 main card opener at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
The 26-year-old Aussie will look to snap a two-fight losing skid against Menifield, who has knocked out back-to-back opponents in Round 1. But Crute warns him that he’s in for a surprise.
“Alonzo’s got some great skills,” Crute told MMA Junkie Radio. “I think people underestimate his wrestling and his ability to string things together there. He’s more than just a big, heavy hitter, but just wait. All I’m gonna say is just wait, because I’m gonna blow him out the water. This is different this time. He’s preparing for the wrong person, I promise you.”
Crute’s past loss came to current UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill – a setback that has aged well over time.
“To be honest, I was just happy for Jamahal,” Crute said. “It’s his win, man. It’s his win to enjoy, and he’s a great person. It was just good to see him get what he deserves. He deserves to be a world champion. I don’t put myself selfishly into that situation. I’ll earn my own title shot and, yeah, it was just good to see that.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 284.