Crute vs Bellato UFC Prediction and Picks: Take the Dog Shot on Crute on February 8

We will see a few upsets on UFC 312 and one will come via a returning fighter: Jimmy Crute. The Australian fights for the first time since July 2023 and is the underdog against Rodolfo Bellato. The UFC odds have Bellato favored due to Crute’s winless skid compounded by his near 18-month layoff. But as Crute is bold to return, we’ll be bold in betting on him to pull it off.

Let’s check the odds board and find the top Crute vs Bellato picks today.

Crute vs Bellato How To Watch

• Fight: Jimmy Crute (12-4-1), Rodolfo Bellato (12-2)
• Date/Time: Saturday, Feb. 8, 10:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
• Crute vs BellatoLive Stream: UFC Fight Pass

Stay updated! Check the latest UFC news here before placing your bets.

Crute vs Bellato Top Picks: Winner and Round Betting

1. Crute Returns With a Vengeance: Jimmy Crute (+130)

Fighters coming off a retirement can be daunting to bet on, especially when they’ve not won a fight in nearly five years. But Crute is the better fighter here assuming he returns with a stable mindset. Crute has fought the likes of Jamahal Hill and Anthony Smith. He was ranked in the top 10 and has four wins in the promotion. He’s our UFC pick.

No time wasted…Jimmy Crute gets the submission win with just 10 seconds left! pic.twitter.com/KybwTbKkqv

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) December 2, 2018

Bellato “ain’t *bleep*”, which is why he’s no shorter than a -160 favorite. Any other decent fighter would be at -200 or shorter. The Brazilian is coming off a TKO victory over Ihor Potieria, a low-ranked fighter who even dropped him. Before this, he strung together three straight wins after losing his first Contender Series bout.

A Crute in his prime would make short work of Potieria and Bellato. He’s only lost against ranked fighters and ones who have been around the promotion for many years. Getting Crute at +120, especially with most action coming against him, is a decent offer.

For a better MMA betting line, bet Crute to win by KO/TKO at +500 or by submission at a whopping +1300. Bellato has been finished by strikes twice by Vitor Petrino. Crute has a path to victory via his grappling. The Aussie can pull this off and the plus money makes it sweeter.

Bet on Jimmy Crute to win (+130)

2. Crute vs Bellato Goes Over 1.5 Rounds

While we favor a finish here, we’re betting online on the total to go over 1.5 rounds. Crute can come out guns blazing, which can lead to an early finish. But we’ll bet on him being a bit more cautious since he is coming back from a long layoff and did just admit he was nearly done with the sport. Bellato is not a heavy-hitter either.

Rodolfo Bellato has less than elite durability. Vitor Petrino put him to sleep 👀😴 pic.twitter.com/ro1gvnyWK3

— Liam Picks Fights (@LiamPicksFights) February 4, 2025

The replacement fighter has a few TKO and submission victories. But he does not have a one-hit knockout on his resume. Petrino starched him, however, and Crute could do the same. But if Crute comes out gunshy, this one likely heads deep into the second round.

Crute, on the other hand, is durable. He broke his leg against Anthony Smith and got knocked out by Hill, who is a former champion and one of the promotion’s best knockout artists. Both are a significant step up from Bellato. The Australian should avoid getting finished early and will finish his opponents in the latter part of the fight. Bet the over.

Bet on Crute vs Bellato Over 1.5 Rounds (-140)

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