Jimmy Crute
Jimmy Crute is an Australian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Crute was the former Australian Hex Fight Series Light Heavyweight Champion.
Background
Crute comes from a long line of boxers on both parents’ sides, and his parents got him started in Karate at age four and Judo at eight. Crute started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 11, however, it wasn't until he was 12 that discovered MMA. When he was 19, he made his professional debut in the Hex Fight Series in Melbourne, winning with a first round submission.Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Crute fought exclusively in Hex Fight Series in Australia where he won the light heavyweight championship and defended it twice. He amassed a record of 7–0 with two TKOs and two submissions prior to competing on Dana White's Contender Series.Dana White's Contender Series
Crute faced Chris Birchler on Dana White's Contender Series 14 web-series program on 24 July 2018. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one and was awarded a UFC contract.Ultimate Fighting Championship
Crute made his promotional debut on 2 December 2018 against Paul Craig at UFC Fight Night 142. He won the fight via kimura in the third round.Crute faced Sam Alvey on 10 February 2019 at UFC 234. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.
Crute faced Misha Cirkunov on 14 September 2019 at UFC Fight Night 158. He lost the back-and-forth fight via a Peruvian necktie submission in the first round.
Crute faced Michał Oleksiejczuk on 23 February 2020 at UFC Fight Night 168. He won the fight via a kimura submission in the first round. This win earned him a Performance of the Night award.
Crute faced Modestas Bukauskas on 18 October 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. The Korean Zombie. He won the fight via knockout in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Crute was scheduled to face Johnny Walker on 27 March 2021 at UFC 260. However, Walker pulled out of the fight in early February citing a chest injury. Subsequently, promotion officials elected to remove Crute from the card and reschedule him against Anthony Smith the following month at UFC 261. He lost the fight via doctor stoppage before the second round after suffering foot drop as a result of a leg kick by Smith, which rendered him unable to continue.
As the first bout of his new, four-fight contract, Crute was scheduled to face Jamahal Hill on 2 October 2021 at UFC Fight Night 193. However in early September, the bout was rescheduled to 4 December 2021 at UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo. Crute lost the fight via knockout in round one.
Crute faced Alonzo Menifield on 12 February 2023, at UFC 284. The fight ended in a majority draw.
Crute then faced Menifield in a rematch on 8 July 2023, at UFC 290. He lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the second round. After the bout, he announced on his social media that he will be indefinitely stepping away to fix his 'unhealthy obsession' with the sport.
Crute was scheduled to face Marcin Prachnio on 9 February 2025, at UFC 312. However, Prachnio withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by former LFA Light Heavyweight Champion Rodolfo Bellato. The bout with Crute and Bellato was declared a majority draw.
Crute's bout with Marcin Prachnio was re-scheduled and took place on 19 July 2025 at UFC 318. He won the fight via an armbar submission at the end of the first round.
Crute faced Ivan Erslan on 28 September 2025 at UFC Fight Night 260. He won the fight via a can opener in round one. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.
Crute was scheduled to face Dustin Jacoby on 1 February 2026 at UFC 325. However, Crute withdrew due to a ruptured ACL.
Championships and achievements
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- * Performance of the Night
- Hex Fight Series
- * Hex Fight Series Light Heavyweight Champion
- ** Two successful title defenses
Personal life
Crute was a full-time forklift driver prior to being signed by the UFC.