Kyle Crutchmer

Kyle Crutchmer (born May 5, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist, freestyle wrestler and graduated collegiate wrestler, who competes in the welterweight division. He has previously competed inBellator MMA. As a folkstyle wrestler, he was a two-time NCAA All-American and two-time Big 12 champion.

Early life Crutchmer was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is the son of Kevin and Tina Crutchmer and has three siblings, Brian, Justin and Kayla. He has a very strong relationship with his stepbrother Brian, whom he grew up with since he was a baby when his mother abandoned him. Since then, they attended high school and college together and even wrestled in the same team. He was also a standout football player, helping his school win three OSSAA team titles.

Wrestling career

High school Crutchmer started wrestling in sixth grade. While competing for Union High School, he won two 6A OSSAA individual titles, an NHSCA Junior National title and compiled an 198–30 record in folkstyle. He was also highly successful in freestyle, as he won the USAW Fargo Junior Nationals in 2012 and placed second and third at the FILA Age-group Nationals.

College Originally, Crutchmer was going to commit to the Sooners, but he ended up choosing the Cowboys as John Smith convinced him to and also to wrestle with his brother. At the NCAA's of that year, he went 4–2 to place fifth, earning All-American honors. As a junior (2015–2016), he compiled a 15–4 record, however, he suffered a season-ending injury at a dual match against the Sooners, leaving him unable to compete at the NCAA's or the Big 12's. As a senior (2016–2017), he compiled a 23–7 record and won his second Big 12 title at 174 pounds. At the NCAA championships, he compiled 5 wins and 2 losses to place seventh and earn All-American honors for the second time in his NCAA career.

Overall, Crutchmer was a two-time All-American and two-time Big 12 champion with a record of 79 victories and 26 defeats as a collegiate wrestler.

Freestyle

2013 Fresh out of high school, Crutchmer made his senior freestyle debut at the 2013 US University National Championships in May. He won three straight matches but was subsequently thrown to the consolation bracket by Alex Meyer in a 29-point match. He was ultimately eliminated in his next bout by Gabe Dean, an eventual heavily accomplished wrestler.

2014 While he was still a freshman in college, Crutchmer competed at the 2014 US National University Championships. He won his first five bouts by technical fall and the last one before the best-of-three finals by points. At the best-of-three, he defeated his opponent two times to none, winning the championship at 80 kilograms.

2017 After a big break of three years, Crutchmer competed at the US Open. He won his first match by technical fall but subsequently lost to two-time NCAA champion Gabe Dean and got thrown to the consolation bracket. He bounced back and defeated four opponents before losing once again and proceeding to face Pat Downey at the fifth place match. He lost the match on points and placed sixth, qualifying for the WTT Challenge Tournament.

At the World Team Trials Challenge tournament, he was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Pat Downey and was thrown to the consolation bracket, where he defeated eventual Greco-Roman World Team Member Joe Rau and was subsequently downed by Richard Perry.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Soon after he graduated, he started training at American Kickboxing Academy. A couple of months later, he made his professional MMA debut. He compiled an undefeated 4–0 record before signing with Bellator MMA.

Bellator MMA Crutchmer was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Antonio Jones on November 8, 2019, at Bellator 233. However, Jones withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Robert Gidron. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

In his next bout, Crutchmer faced Scott Futrell in a 175-pounds catchweight on February 21, 2020, at Bellator 239. He won the fight by submission in the first round.

Crutchmer faced Kemran Lachinov on October 15, 2020, at Bellator 249. He lost the bout by unanimous decision, marking the first loss of his mixed martial arts career.

Crutchmer faced undefeated Levan Chokheli at Bellator 260 on June 11, 2021. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Crutchmer faced Oliver Enkamp on December 3, 2021, at Bellator 272. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Crutchmer faced Michael Lombardo on April 15, 2022, at Bellator 277. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Crutchmer faced Jaleel Willis on December 9, 2022, at Bellator 289. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Crutchmer, replacing Roman Faraldo, faced Bobby Nash on June 16, 2023, at Bellator 297. He won the bout in the first round, dropping Nash with a punch and finishing the bout via ground and pound.

Personal life In March 2020, Crutchmer and his girlfriend gave birth to their daughter.

Championships and accomplishments Amateur wrestling Folkstyle National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Division I All-American out of Oklahoma State University (2015, 2017) NCAA Division I 174 lb - 5th Place out of Oklahoma State University (2015) NCAA Division I 174 lb - 7th Place out of Oklahoma State University (2017) Big 12 Conference Big 12 174 lb Conference Championship out of Oklahoma State University (2015, 2017)

Freestyle United World Wrestling 2017 US Open Championships - 6th Place 2014 US University National Championships - 1st Place 2013 FILA Junior Nationals - 3rd place 2010 FILA Cadet Nationals - 2nd place USA Wrestling USA Wrestling Fargo All-American (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) 2012 Fargo Junior Nationals - 1st place 2011 Fargo Junior Nationals - 4th place 2011 Southern Plains Junior Regionals - 1st place 2010 Fargo Junior Nationals - 6th place 2010 Southern Plains Junior Regionals - 1st place 2009 Fargo Cadet Nationals - 4th place

Mixed martial arts record Win

Bobby Nash TKO (punches) Bellator 297

Chicago, Illinois, United States Loss

Jaleel Willis Decision (unanimous) Bellator 289

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Michael Lombardo Decision (unanimous) Bellator 277

San Jose, California, United States Win

Oliver Enkamp Decision (unanimous) Bellator 272

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Levan Chokheli Decision (unanimous) Bellator 260

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Kemran Lachinov Decision (unanimous) Bellator 249

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Scott Futrell Submission (anaconda choke) Bellator 239

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Robert Gidron Decision (unanimous) Bellator 233

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Josh Weston Decision (unanimous) XFL 356

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Brandon Wright TKO (punches) XFL 352

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Rocky Rosas Submission (arm-triangle choke) XFL: Rage on the River

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Ronald Beasley Technical Submission (guillotine choke) XFL 348

Miami, Oklahoma, United States Freestyle record

Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location

Loss 17–7

Win 17–6

Loss 16–6

Loss 16–5

Loss 16–4

Win 16–3

Win 15–3

Win 14–3

Win 13–3

Loss 12–3

Win 12–2

Win 11–2

Win 10–2

Win 9–2

Win 8–2

Win 7–2

Win 6–2

Win 5–2

Win 4–2

Loss 3–2

Loss 3–1

Win 3–0

Win 2–0

Win 1–0

NCAA record

Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event

Win 9–4

Loss 8–4

Win 8–3

Win 7–3

Win 6–3

Win 5–3

Loss 4–3

Win 4–2

Loss 3–2

Loss 3–1

Win 3–0

Win 2–0

Win 1–0

Stats Season Year School Rank Weigh Class Record Win Bonus 2017 Senior

11 (7th)

23-7 76.67% 26.67% 2016 Junior 11 (DNQ) 15-4 78.95% 31.58% 2015 Sophomore 9 (5th) 21-7 75.00% 10.71% 2014 Freshman 25 (DNQ) 20-8 71.43% 21.43%