Rodolfo Bellato and Jimmy Crute meet Saturday on the UFC 312 main card at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Last event: 2-3
UFC main cards, 2024: 8-8
Rodolfo Bellato vs. Jimmy Crute UFC 312 preview
Bellato (12-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) will look to make it five straight wins in his first appearance since December 2023. Sidelined due to injury, Bellato returns after impressing on Dana White’s Contender Series and then winning his debut by stopping Ihor Potieria in the second round. … Crute (12-4-1 MMA, 4-4-1 UFC) is in need of a win, as he enters winless in his last four appearances with three losses and one draw. Crute, 28, was last in action at UFC 290 in July, where Alonzo Menifield submitted him. The last victory for Crute came by way of first-round finish of Modestas Bukauskas in October 2020.
Rodolfo Bellato vs. Jimmy Crute UFC 312 expert pick, prediction
Filling out the main card is a light heavyweight matchup between Bellato and Crute.
Looking like a character from “The Incredibles,” Bellato has proven to be a fun fighter in victory or defeat. I’ll be curious to see what Bellato looks like after an injury layoff, but I’m even more curious to see how Crute looks after coming back from a premature career retirement.
Crute appears to have been active in the last calendar year, cross-training at well-respected gyms like Bang Tao Muay Thai.
I wouldn’t be shocked in the slightest if Bellato can survive the early storm and make things ugly for the win. But despite not knowing where Crute’s head is at, I believe that the Australian is the more talented fighter skill for skill.
It’s not a confident pick, but I’ll take Crute to control the grappling and force a stoppage by Round 3.
Rodolfo Bellato vs. Jimmy Crute UFC 312 odds
The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the Brazilian, listing Bellato -164 and Crute +134 via FanDuel.
Rodolfo Bellato vs. Jimmy Crute UFC 312 start time, how to watch
Bellato and Crute are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 10:40 p.m. ET. The fight will stream on ESPN+.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 312.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Rodolfo Bellato vs. Jimmy Crute prediction, pick, start time for UFC 312
