Jimmy Crute appeared to signal he was retiring after a submission loss to Alonza Menefield at UFC 290 on Saturday night led to him leaving his gloves in the center of the Octagon.
However, the 27-year-old has now backtracked and instead decided that he needs to take time out to adopt a healthier mindset regarding his fighting career.
“I’ve had a bit to process,” Crute wrote on Instagram. “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.”
Crute initially joined the UFC following a win on the Contender Series back in 2018 and went on to win four of his next five fights.
However, his form then slipped in 2021 when he took a step up in competition and suffered back-to-back losses via strikes against Anthony Smith and Jamahal Hill, followed by two fights in a row against Menefield that resulted in a majority draw and then this past weekend’s submission defeat.
