'Infuriated' Aussie's 'class act' after cruel loss

Australian Jimmy Crute suffered a heartbreaking TKO loss to Anthony Smith at UFC 261 after a shock leg injury forced the Aussie to retire.

The bout was seen as a big opportunity for Melbourne-based Crute, 25, after his original fight with Brazilian Johnny Walker was called off when the South American pulled out. He was matched up with Smith, a higher-ranked contender, and knocking him off would have given Crute's career a huge jolt.

But a huge kick to his left knee in the closing stages of the first round cut the Aussie down in his tracks. He could barely stand to start the second round and the doctor called it.

"He was jabbing my face off way too much, I was letting him off," Crute told Joe Rogan.

"I couldn't feel my leg. In the second round, I was just going to come out and pull guard because I couldn't stand on my leg."

Smith's jab hurt Crute in the opening two minutes, but Crute held his own and returned fire to Smith's legs while trying to land on the inside.

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When Crute's leg completely gave way, he landed a takedown and ended the round on top.

He went back to his corner but on the way there it gave way forcing him to stumble. His corner didn't pay too much attention to the injury during the break and when he came out for the second, he couldn't hold any power on the leg and the doctor called an end to the fight.

Smith and Crute shared a moment at the end, as the American fighter got on his knees and gave the Australian a hug with some encouraging words.

While he wasn't happy with the stoppage and wanted to fight on, Crute put the loss in perspective by paying his respects out to fallen ANZAC soldiers.

"Back home in Australia it's Anzac Day, which is the equivalent to Veteran's Day here," he said.

"I just want to give a massive shout-out. What we do here, would not be possible if not for the fallen troops.

"I might have lost today, but they lost their lives back then."

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from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/news/ufc-261-crute-suffers-heartbreaking-defeat-anthony-smith/4cc3f35c-292c-4912-be2e-3b05cd5ddaf6