The UFC has finalized a fun matchup in the light heavyweight division that will pit two top fifteen contenders against each other. Top up and coming prospects Jimmy Crute (12-2) and Jamahal Hill (8-1, 1 NC) are set to battle it out.
The matchup was first reported by ESPN and it will take place at a UFC Fight Night on October 2nd. Jimmy Crute will be looking to bounce back after he suffered his second loss inside the octagon in his last time out.
Crute was on the main card at UFC 261 in a massive spot against former title challenger Anthony Smith. Unfortunately for Crute, he couldn’t pull out the win. Late in the first round Smith landed a brutal leg kick that damaged Crute’s knee.
The doctor called a stop to the action in between rounds after Crute couldn’t walk without his leg giving out. That loss dropped Crute to 4-2 inside the octagon. While he did lose at UFC 261, people should still be very high on Jimmy Crute.
Quick UFC turnaround for Hill
Much like Jimmy Crute, Jamahal Hill suffered an injury in his last fight. At UFC 263, Hill took on the jiu jitsu ace Paul Craig. Craig pulled guard in the first round and locked in an armbar that dislocated the arm of Hill.
The dislocation along with a barrage of elbows caused the referee to call a stop to the action and Hill suffered the first loss of his career. Prior to that loss, Hill had gone 2-0, 1 NC in three trips inside the octagon.
Hill was coming off of a TKO win over Ovince St. Preux which really showed UFC fans just how good he is. This is a quick turnaround for Hill and I’ll be very curious to see how he looks when he makes the walk in October.
This is an extremely important fight for the division. These are arguably the two best prospects in the division and whoever wins will start marching back up the ladder.