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UFC 284: Jimmy Crute vs. Alonzo Menifield Picks & Predictions (2023)

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Two of the best fighters on the planet will square off Saturday night in Australia, as the #1 pound-for-pound fighter on the UFC roster, Alexander Volknovski, will move up to lightweight to take on the #2 PFP fighter Islam Makahchev. Being fought at lightweight, Volk will be vacating his featherweight belt, as the co-main will now be a featherweight interim title fight between Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett.

Earlier in the night, to kick off the main card, a pair of light heavyweights will go at it as Jimmy Crute takes on Alonzo Menifield. On a UFC 284 card full of value, let’s take a closer look at how things might play out in this one.

Check out our other UFC 284 betting picks:

UFC 284 Jimmy Crute vs. Alonzo Menifield: Best Bets

All odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

Betting Profile: Jimmy Crute (12-3-0)

Last Five Fights (L-L-W-W-L)

Jimmy Crute will aim to increase his 12-3-0 record with a victory here, as the 26-year-old will weigh 205 pounds and measure 6’2″ when they go on the scale. He also comes into this one with a 74″ reach, a typical advantage that won’t be in this fight.

Crute averages 4.33 significant strikes per minute, while Alonzo Menifield averages 3.91 significant strikes per minute.  Crute is the better grappler, as seen by the 4.87 times per 15 that he submits to his opponents. In 75% of his takedown attempts, Crute succeeds, and in 60% of his opponent’s takedown attempts, he fails.

Betting Profile: Alonzo Menifield (13-3-0)

Last Five Fights (W-W-L-W-W)

Alonzo “Atomic” Menifield weighs 205 lbs. and has a height of 6’0″. The orthodox-style fighter enters the Octagon with a 13-3-0 record, having lost just once since 2020 and currently on a two-fight winning streak.

Alonzo Menifield faced Misha Cirkunov in his last fight, which he won with a punch to the head in the first round. Menifield completed 50% of his significant strikes at a distance, while Cirkunov completed 60% of his significant strikes. Coming into this one, Menifield is connecting on 56% of his major strikes, compared to Crute’s 56%.

Menifield successfully completes his takedown attempts on 30% of his efforts and thwarts 85% of his opponent’s takedown attempts.

Bottom Line

Over 16 combined fights in the UFC, these two average fights of just 1.08 rounds per attempt. Furthermore, of their combined 25 wins, 84% have finished inside the distance, with Menifield himself as high as 92% coming into this fight.

While I give Crute the slight edge, given his age and technical ability, I think the best bet here is this one ending early.

Best Bet: Under 2.5 (-220 via DraftKings)

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Johnny is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Johnny, check out his free UFC picks newsletter and follow him @JohnnyCovers.