Jimmy Crute READY to 'leave it all on the line' against Rodolfo Bellato at UFC 312 [Exclusive]

The Australian star is all set to battle Rodolfo Bellato

Australian Star and UFC Light Heavyweight Jimmy Crute has been absent from the octagon since his last fight at UFC 290 in July 2023. During the hiatus, Crute has focused on himself and his well-being while healing from his injuries.

The Australian star is now ready to make his return and will fight for the first time since 2023. Crute will face a rising star from Brazil, Rodolfo Bellato, the two stars will collide in the second fight of the main card. Apart from Crute multiple Australian fighters are featured on the card.

The UFC 312 is scheduled to take place on February 8, 2025, at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. The Middleweight UFC title rematch between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland is the main event of the card.

Crute began his MMA career in 2017 with Hex Fight Series and went on to become the former Australian Hex Fight Series Light Heavyweight Champion. Hailing from a family with a rich boxing background on both sides, Crute was introduced to Karate at age four and Judo at eight by his parents.

He began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 11 and discovered MMA at 12. At 19, he made his professional debut in the Hex Fight Series in Melbourne, securing a first-round submission victory. Crute’s UFC journey began when he was awarded a UFC contract after a dominant win in Dana White’s Contender Series 14.

Injury-free and a newfound love for MMA, Crute is now ready to make an impression in his return. Ahead of his fight on February 8, Crute sat down with Khel Now for an exclusive interview.

What have you been up to since we last saw you at UFC 290?

Jimmy stepped away from the fight game following his last fight where he suffered defeat in a rematch against Alonzo Menifield. During his time away from the game, Crute took a break from competition, returned to training, and ultimately decided to step back into the ring for another fight, “I had a little bit of time off but I got back into it, just training a lot and decided to have another fight”.

What re-sparked your passion for MMA?

Taking the time off has worked wonders for the UFC light heavyweight as he took some time off to rest and recover from injuries he felt rejuvenated. “I had a bit of time off and felt really refreshed, gave my body some time to heal, I had a few injuries and I felt really good getting back into training.”

Does the short notice change hinder your preparation or does it motivate you to adapt quickly?

Crute isn’t worried about the short notice change and is focused on himself rather than who his opponent will be, He also revealed that he had to change his gameplan little bit after the opponent change. “I’m always focusing on myself, I don’t really think about the opponent too much. When the fight got changed I had to adjust the gameplan a little bit but apart from that I’ve just been focusing on myself.”

How much does mental peace impact your performance, or does it all feel the same once the octagon door closes?

Crute acknowledged that while the fight would be intense and challenging, he is fully prepared for it, and ultimately the outcome is in god’s hands. “Imagine when the octagon door closes, it’s still going to be pretty wild in there, I’m prepared for war, I’m prepared for a very tough fight and the rest is in god’s hand.”

How do you see the fight playing out and does experience play a factor?

The Australian star believes that his experience will play a factor in the fight and also hinted that he has some new techniques that his opponent hasn’t seen or prepared for. Crute plans to go in and fight his heart out. “Yeah, I think my experience is going to play a huge factor in the fight, feel like I got somethings up my sleeve that Bellato hasn’t seen, Isn’t ready for it as well,”

Are you taking it slow one fight at a time, or do you already have an opponent in mind?

Crute revealed doesn’t have a specific opponent in mind and he just wants to focus on getting through the return fight. However, he stated that would like to stay active and compete several times this year. “I just want to get this one out of the way but I would like to stay active this year and fight a few times.”

When asked if he wanted to call out someone, Crute laughingly said that he has got a ‘big Brazilian tank’ in front of him right now, “Nah! I’ve got a big Brazilian tank in front of me to take care of.”

Can you talk about the special bond that you have with your head coach Sam Greco?

Crute has been training with 1994 Karate World Cup champion Sam Greco since his early days and Greco has been with him during his days at Hex Fight Series. Crute is currently training with UFC Welterweight Jake Matthews and Greco and at the Australian Elite team in Gladstone Park, Australia

While talking about Greco, Crute revealed that he has been with Greco for nine years and has learned a lot from him not just in the gym but also in life. “I have learned a lot from him, business-wise, fighting-wise, and just in life in general,”

Jimmy also revealed that Greco will be in his corner for his fight against Bellato, “We’ve been through a lot together, and it’s good to have him in my corner for this fight.”

A big fight in your division at UFC 313 (Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev), how do you see the fight playing out?

Talking about the UFC Light Heavyweight title clash between champion Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev, Jimmy said that it is a very fascinating fight and he is going to watch the fight with an open mind. He also revealed that he will not make any picks for the fight. “It’s a very interesting fight, I really look forward to watching it, I’m not gonna make any picks, cuz I just wanna watch it with an open mind.”

Crute also praised both Pereira and Ankalaev, stating that “both are incredible athletes” and also expressed his excitement for the clash.

When asked if Ankalev is just going to box against a kickboxing champion like Pereira or is he going with a wrestling gameplan, Crute answered that he thinks Ankalaev will rely on his wrestling, “I think he’s (Ankalaev) is gonna clinch!”

Can we get a prediction for your fight and a message to UFC fans in India?

Jimmy said that fans can just expect him to fight as hard as he can “My fight, you can just expect me to fight as hard as I can and leave it all on the line!”

Crute expressed his appreciation for UFC fans in India, acknowledging the growth of MMA in the country and looking forward to seeing the future athletes who will emerge from India in the UFC. “UFC fans in India, appreciate you very much, Yeah, I think the sport of MMA is growing heaps in India, I look forward to seeing what sort of athletes come through the UFC from India.”

Watch UFC 312 – Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland on 9th February, 2025 at 8:30 AM IST LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil & Telugu)

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