ABU DHABI – Jimmy Crute is keen on a clash with Nikita Krylov following a brutal knockout win at UFC on ESPN+ 38.
Crute (12-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) scored a highlight-reel first-round knockout of Modestas Bukauskas (11-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in their featured light heavyweight bout on Saturday’s card, which took place at Flash Forum at Yas Island. He was rewarded a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus for his efforts, but said he wasn’t particularly pleased with it.
Although Crute said he gave Bukauskas the utmost respect coming in, he felt like the result was a forgone conclusion from the moment he signed the contract, so the high of victory wasn’t as great as normal.
“I’m not as happy as I usually am after a win, but I think it’s because I think I knew I was going to win this time,” Crute told reporters, including MMA Junkie, post-fight at UFC on ESPN+ 38. “I did all the work necessary. I did all the work and then some. I’ve been training for a fight since June. I haven’t stopped. I haven’t let it up.”
Following his victory, Crute said during his in-cage interview with Daniel Cormier that Krylov (26-7 MMA, 8-5 UFC) would be an appealing fight for him next. The Ukrainian has nearly three times the pro experience Crute has, and has 26 of his 27 career victories by finish.
That’s an appealing test Crute said, but if the UFC sees a different path for him, he’s all for it.
“I like (Krylov) because he has Kyokushin spirit,” Crute said. “I just like him. I reckon that’d be a banger. It’d be the toughest of my career. But if not, I’ll fight anyone. I don’t give a (expletive).”
