Prediction: Jimmy Crute
I’m siding with Crute here—not because I fully trust him, but because he’s got the clearest route to a win: grappling.
Crute’s ground game is solid. He’s heavy on top, nasty with pressure, and if he commits to the takedown early, he’s got all the tools to dominate. Prachnio has consistently struggled with opponents who push a grappling pace. The dude just doesn’t defend well once the fight hits the mat. If Crute puts on his wrestler hat and dials in on that game plan, a finish isn’t just possible—it’s likely.
But here’s where things get sketchy. Crute hasn’t looked like that same hungry, explosive fighter he was when he initially burst onto the scene. The fire isn’t as obvious. He’s leading on the feet more, and that’s where things can get dangerous—because Prachnio is awkward as hell to deal with on the feet. He’s not a guy that moves the way you expect. His rhythm is off-beat, his strikes come from weird angles, and his whole game is built on throwing you off. That kind of unorthodox movement messes with fighters who rely on timing, and Crute’s striking defense isn’t exactly locked in.
If Crute comes in thinking he can trade with Prachnio or “feel it out” on the feet for too long, it could go south quick. Prachnio’s awkwardness is his advantage, and if Crute’s not dialed in mentally, he’s going to be eating shots he didn’t see coming. That’s the big risk.
So yeah, I’m picking Crute—only because of the wrestling upside. He has the clear edge there, and if he leans into it, he’s probably getting his hand raised. But if he forgets who he is and tries to outstrike a guy built like a glitch in the matrix, don’t be shocked if it bites him.