Jimmy Crute and Ivan Erslan served as the co-main event of UFC Perth on Saturday, thanks in part of an injury that forced Junior Tafa off the card.
The Perth Fight Night event had taken several hits, leading to an improved Crute, coming off a victory over Rodolfo Bellato, taking on the 0-2 KSW vet Erslan.
Crute landed a takedown early in Saturday’s opening round, and while Erslan got back to his feet, he had one problem: he wound up carrying Crute like a backpack. Crute would end up sweeping as they went to the ground, getting to mount. After that, it was Crute taking the back and working to flatten out Erslan. He didn’t even need to do so fully, instead cranking on the neck, arms under the chin. Erslan looked to be in some serious discomfort and was quickly forced to tap!
Since returning from a hiatus earlier this year, Jimmy Crute is now undefeated through three fights, with a 2-0-1 record. With the Erslan win at UFC Perth, he’s won back-to-back fights for the first time since 2020.
Announced as a rear-naked choke, when questioned about what to call the submission by Paul Felder, Crute replied “I don’t know, but I f*cking love it!” Crute then called for a spot on a yet-to-be announced card in Sydney, Australia in February.
Official Result: Jimmy Crute def. Ivan Erslan by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:19
