Jimmy Crute vs. Alonzo Menifield is scheduled for three rounds in the light heavyweight division and is a featured attraction of the UFC 284 undercard from Perth, Australia.
Crute is hoping some home cooking will fix what’s wrong with his career, though he might find that medicine hard to swallow with slugger Menifield gunning for him.
UFC odds are showing Crute as a -205 favorite despite his recent troubles. Menifield comes in with the power and a winning streak, yet he's a slight underdog at +175.
Here are our free UFC picks and predictions for Crute vs. Menifield at UFC 284 in Perth.
Crute vs Menifield fight odds
Crute vs Menifield method of victory odds
| Method of Victory | Jimmy Crute | Alonzo Menifield |
|---|---|---|
| To win by KO/TKO | -205 | +175 |
| Draw | +5,000 | +5,000 |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook on February 6, 2023.
Crute vs Menifield picks
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Crute vs Menifield betting preview
Not long ago Crute was soaring toward a top-10 spot at light heavyweight before disaster struck. Misha Cirkunov scored a highlight-reel submission of him in 2019, then came stoppage losses to Anthony Smith and Jamahal Hill. Somehow, Crute is the favorite against the hard-hitting Menifield despite questions about his durability and confidence.
Menifield might not be a confidence booster type of opponent with the fire he brings. The Texas native has gone 4-1 over his last five fights, including back-to-back first-round finishes in his last two. He fights with bad intentions and a knack for getting things done in short order, often exploding out the gates.
“Atomic” Alonzo can be destructive, but he doesn’t carry enough nitro fuel to last long at times. He lands 3.91 significant strikes per minute at 56% accuracy. Alonzo also defends well against takedowns, stuffing 85% of attempts against him. Menifield is a natural finisher with 12 finishes over 13 wins and an average fight time of 6:12 minutes.
Crute is in dire straights while trying to get his career back on track. An injury TKO to Smith was a bad look, especially as he was doing well. But he was annihilated against Hill during his next fight. Despite questionable matchmaking, Crute failed to show the same promise he did before going into his slump.
The hometown fighter needs to keep his head up and chin tucked in if he wants to get back on track. Crute lands 4.33 significant strikes per minute at 56% accuracy and 4.87 takedowns per 15 minutes at 75% accuracy. Like Menifield, he gets things done fast and has recorded nine finishes over 12 fights with an average fight time of 4:37 minutes.
Most of the fights these two are featured in fail to make it past the first round. One thing is for sure: Crute and Menifield won’t get to the cards, and someone will be blown up in a big way after that first bell rings.
Crute vs Menifield tale of the tape
| Jimmy Crute | Alonzo Menifield | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Age | 35 |
| 6-foot-2 | Height | 6-foot |
| 205 lbs | Weight | 205 lbs |
| 74 inches | Reach | 76 inches |
| 12-3 (5 KOs) | Record | 13-3 (10 KOs) |
Crute vs Menifield UFC prediction and best bet
Fight prediction: Menifield ML
Confidence issues with Crute might be holding him back. While there’s no shame in losing to the future champion of the division, this is another tough fight when he needs to bounce back. Menifield can stop his takedowns and is the better striker of the two.
Hometown jitters from Crute are likely, especially knowing how badly he needs a win. Crute needs to be on point early defensively, hoping Menifield throws enough shots to run out of gas, which is something he tends to do often. All that intensity and maybe the need to show out for the crowd might cause Crute to engage at the wrong time.
If Crute can right his ship and survive the early exchanges, he can likely eke out a victory. But he'll probably give in to his pride, and that’ll be his undoing as Menifield throws his heavy hands. Go with the underdog at +175 if you have to pick a winner here.
Prediction: Menifield ML (+175 at DraftKings)
Fight best bet: Under 1.5 rounds
I don’t trust either fighter, but there will likely be a first-round stoppage. Both Crute's and Menifield’s fights have ended one way or another in the first round, and this should be no different. While Menifield can limit Crute’s takedowns and make him take a chance up top, he tends to lose steam right away, and that could be disastrous for him.
This fight isn’t going the distance, and it’ll be an upset if it goes a full round. It’ll be wise to go with the rounds here, taking the -120 for the bout ending before the second.
Pick: Under 1.5 rounds (-120 at DraftKings)
