In a light heavyweight bout, Jimmy Crute and Modestas Bukauskas square off at UFC on ESPN+ 38 Saturday at the UFC’s Fight Island facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The prelims kick off at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Crute (11-1) stands one inch shorter than his Lithuanian counterpart, and he has a four-inch reach disadvantage. After his first setback at the UFC level against Misha Cirkunov on Sept. 14, 2019, Crute bounced back against Michal Oleksiejczuk via a Round 1 submission on Feb. 22, 2020. All four of Crute’s fights at the UFC level have finished inside the distance, including three submissions (3-1) and a KO/TKO (1-0). Four of his past five professional fights have ended in Round 1, with eight of his 12 pro fights overall ending in the first round.
Bukauskas (11-2) is a rather moderate underdog despite the fact he won his UFC debut over Andreas Michailidis in a first-round KO/TKO on July 15, 2020. Each of his past five pro fights have ended by way of knockout, and each of his past 12 bouts have finished inside the distance.
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Jimmy Crute vs. Modestas Bukauskas betting odds
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:42 a.m. ET.
Crute (-313) is a brute (yeah, I said it!), and he will push his Lithuania counterpart around. While Bukauskas (+250) has an impressive record putting his opponents away early, he hasn’t faced an immovable force like the Aussie Crute. However, you cannot bet Crute on the 2-way line, as risking three times your potential return is just not good gambling.
Instead, look for the favorite CRUTE IN ROUND 2 (+375) and CRUTE IN ROUND 3 (+750). You’ll lose one end, but if he wins by any means in either of those two rounds, you’re guaranteed of a sizeable win. While betting No (-358): “Will the fight go the distance?” is likely a slam-dunk play, it’s too much of a risk if the fight ends up going to the judges’ cards.
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Also see:
- UFC on ESPN+ 38 predictions (MMA Junkie)
- UFC on ESPN+ 38: 5 burning questions (MMA Junkie)
- MMA Junkie – The latest UFC/MMA coverage
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