Light heavyweight action kicked off the televised preliminary card at UFC 290, with Jimmy Crute and Alonzo Menifield running it back in a rare immediate rematch.
Outside of title fights, such bookings are rarely put in place by the UFC — but the pair’s initial fight last year had ended in a draw, and both men had expressed a willingness to engage in a do-over.
Crute and Menifield engaged in numerous clinch battles against the cage to begin the bout, with neither men able to bring the other down to the mat or advance to a more dominant position. The first round was closely fought, as one may have expected following their first meeting earlier this year.
The two men exchanged blows on the feet for the first few minutes of the second round before Crute shot for a single leg takedown — stuffed by Alonzo Menifield.
The Fortis MMA product managed to wrap his arms around the neck of his opponent, securing a guillotine choke and submitting Crute in impressive fashion.
Left no doubt! 💪
Here’s your #UFC290 Shot of the Night Shot 📸
[ B2YB by @JoseCuervo ] pic.twitter.com/TWpGSyKIAj
— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023
Undefeated in four straight fights, the 35-year-old Menifield will likely be a ranked UFC light heavyweight next week and will look to bolster up the rankings in the coming months.
Crute, 27, placed his gloves down in the center of the octagon to signify a possible retirement, though he will likely take time to make a definitive decision regarding his future within mixed-martial arts.
Official Result: Alonzo Menifield def. Jimmy Crute by Submission (Guilliotine choke), Round 2, 1:55
