The MMA Daily

Preview

In the Light Heavyweight division, we have a showdown between Jimmy ‘The Brute’ Crute and Jamahal ‘Sweet Dreams’ Hill. Seven months ago, Crute faced off against former title challenger Anthony Smith. Crute showed poor fight IQ, choosing to stand with Smith, instead of taking him down. While on the feet, Smith landed a leg kick that hit Crute’s peroneal nerve. It essentially shut down Crute’s leg. While attempting to come out for the second round, the ref waved it off after seeing Crute struggle to walk. The loss halted a two-fight winning streak and the opportunity to crack the top ten. Meanwhile, Hill most recently suffered his first professional defeat to Paul Craig. A fight that saw Craig pull guard and Hill oblige. A poor move by Hill, as Craig trapped and dislocated Hill’s arm, forcing the ref to eventually step in. Before the loss, Hill had notched a big knockout win over Ovince St. Preux.

Prediction

This a great fight, as it pits two men who paid dearly for their poor decisions in their last fight and gives them a chance to correct it, while having something to gain in this ranked battle. Jimmy Crute is a wrestler who has excellent ground skills. Evolving as a striker, Crute can hold his own on the feet, but is at his best when he implements a heavy wrestling approach. Against Jamahal Hill, that might be the way to go. Hill is primarily a striker who is excellent at range. With a 79’ inch reach, Hill likes to throw a one-two to open up his other strikes. With excellent output, Hill doesn’t load up on his strikes, but overwhelms opponents with sheer volume. 

As for a prediction, I have Crute winning. While I believe Hill gives Crute fits on the feet, the Australian’s varied attack gives him a path to victory. In other words, I expect Crute to wrestle early and often. With exceptional ground skills, Crute can threaten with some dangerous ground-and-pound or submissions. In four wins inside the octagon, Crute has stopped every opponent. I believe that ends here, as I predict Crute wins via decision.