Jimmy Crute expects a ‘mauling’ of Anthony Smith

Jimmy Crute is eager for the opportunity to face Anthony Smith.

Crute had been calling for a top-ranked opponent and had his eyes set on Smith. To his luck, he got the matchup at UFC 261, and for Crute, he’s excited a guy like Smith would face an up-and-comer.

“I feel like a lot of those top guys don’t want to fight an up-and-comer. Me and Anthony had a back-and-forth on social media that was very respectful,” Jimmy Crute said at media day. “To me, that showed he was willing to fight an up-and-comer like myself. To me, it was the highest-ranked guy that I thought would fight me and the biggest challenge of a person I thought would fight me.”

Smith has been made it known he has to fight down until he strings some wins together. However, for Crute, he’s confident he will get past “Lionheart” and says it will be a mauling until he finishes him.

“A mauling, until I put him away,” Crute said.

If Jimmy Crute does end up finishing Anthony Smith he knows it would be a massive win for him as he could get a top-five opponent next. However, Crute isn’t focusing on any of that as he knows he still needs to get past Smith which is a very tough challenge. But, if he does, he knows that would be his breakthrough moment and add some hype to his name.

“Yeah, it’s definitely going to be a breakthrough moment, one of many, I hope. I’m not thinking too much about the moment. I’ve got a job to do. I’ve got to fight Anthony Smith,” Crute said. “It’s going to be a hell of a challenge, but I’m not thinking about the moment. I’ll enjoy that after I get the job done. I’m here for business and business only.”