MMA Preview – Anthony Smith vs Jimmy Crute at UFC 261
ANTHONY SMITH VS JIMMY CRUTE FACTS
When is UFC 261? Sunday 25th April, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 261? VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 261? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 261
What channel is UFC 261 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 261? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ANTHONY SMITH VS JIMMY CRUTE LOWDOWN
After losing three in four, Anthony Smith (34-16) is back on the winning trail after a ‘performance of the night’ and submission over Devin Clark. He was struggling for form leading into that fight back in November, but it was understandable as the losses were to Jon Jones for the title, Glover Teixeira and Aleksandar Rakic. Smith is not championship calibre, but he is still top tier and anyone with title aspirations will have to get through him.
That somebody is Jimmy Crute (12-1) who is only 25 but has all the makings of a future contender. His only setback so far was to Misha Cirkunov who wrapped him up in a glorious Peruvian Necktie. That loss seemed to light a fire under him as he blitzed past his next two opponents. He bounced back by submitting Michal Oleksiejczuk with a kimura and then sparked out Modestas Bukauskas back in October.
ANTHONY SMITH VS JIMMY CRUTE PREDICTION
What a fight to kick off the main card. This is by far Crute’s biggest test, but an impressive win could catapult him into the top five. Crute has not gone past the first round since submitting Paul Craig in the third round back in 2018 and his cardio will have to be on point as Smith is a durable and seasoned five-rounder.
The fight will start on the feet where Smith will back himself and he will boast a two-inch height and reach advantage but as we saw in his last fight, Crute has fight-ending power in his hands.
Crute’s best route to victory may be resorting to his grappling. He is not quite on Teixeira’s level but if he can have half the success, he should be able to control Smith for long enough to earn a decision.
Smith is very dangerous on the ground and a jiu-jitsu contest will be a spectacle as they are both monsters on the mat. Overall, there is not much between them besides experience. Crute has gone five rounds twice but not at this level whereas Smith has gone five rounds with the likes of Jones.
Crute will need to bring out one of his best performances to date and we are backing him to earn a decision and if his conditioning is there, a late finish is possible.
Prediction: Crute via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
