UFC light heavyweight Jimmy Crute to step away from fighting to remedy 'unhealthy obsession'

Jimmy Crute isn’t retiring, but says he has a lot to figure out before competing again.

The UFC light heavyweight left everyone wondering if the removal of his gloves inside the octagon after losing by submission to Alonzo Menifield at UFC 290 was the signal to the end of his career. Crute (12-4-1 MMA, 4-4-1 UFC) appeared dejected after the result, but after taking some time to reflect, has determined that stepping away for a while may be the best move.

“That reaction after the fight just shows how unhealthy my relationship has gotten with this sport,” Crute wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday evening.

“… Truth is, I don’t even know who I am without all of this. I am going to take the time to find myself, do the therapy, and get myself right.”

Crute, 27, has made four walks to the UFC’s cage without a victory. The rough stretch includes losses to Anthony Smith and Jamahal Hill, along with a draw and a submission loss to Menifield. Just prior to the skid, the Dana White’s Contender Series veteran scored back-to-back first-round finishes of Michal Oleksiejczuk and Modestas Bukauskas in 2020.

The Australia-born fighter did not give a timetable for his return, but has vowed to return when he has achieved a “sustainable mindset toward the sport.”

Check out Crute’s full post below:

I’ve had a bit to process. that reaction after the fight just shows how unhealthy my relationship has gotten with this sport. I have been obsessed with being in the UFC since I was 12 years old and it has been my entire identity since I made the decision to chase this dream. I have a lot to address before I think about stepping back in there. Truth is, I don’t even know who I am with out all of this. I am going to take the time to find myself, do the therapy and get myself right. I’ve needed to walk away from this unhealthy obsession for a while now. That being said deep down I know that I am far from done. I’m going to step away for as long as it takes and do the work then comeback with a healthy and sustainable mindset toward this sport. How long that takes isn’t up to me but I look forward to the challenges coming up. Thank you to everyone that has reached out to check on me. I appreciate it more than I am able to express.