Kyle Crutchmer

Kyle Crutchmer (born May 5, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist and graduated collegiate wrestler. He currently competes in the welterweight division of Bellator MMA. As a folkstyle wrestler, he was a two-time NCAA All-American and two-time Big 12 champion.[4]

Kyle Crutchmer
Born	May 5, 1993 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1]
Weight	170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
Division	Middleweight (2018) Welterweight (2019–present)
Fighting out of	San José, California, U.S.
Team	American Kickboxing Academy (2017–present)[2]
Wrestling	NCAA Division I Wrestling[3]
Years active	2018–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	7
Wins	6
By knockout	1
By submission	3
By decision	2
Losses	1
By decision	1
University	Oklahoma State University
Notable school(s)	Union High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record Collegiate Wrestling Representing the Oklahoma State Cowboys Big 12 Championships 2015 Tulsa 174 lb 2017 Tulsa 174 lb

Early life

Crutchmer was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[5] 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.[5] In Union High School he was a two-sport varsity athlete, competing in football (since his sophomore year) and wrestling.[6] He was a standout as a footballer, helping the Redskins to win three OSSAA team titles.[7]

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.[8][9] He was also highly successful in freestyle, as he won the USAW Fargo Junior Nationals in 2012[10] and placed second and third at the FILA Age-group Nationals.[11][12]

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.[5]

In his redshirt season (2012-2013), he compiled a 15-1 record in open tournaments at 174 pounds. As a freshman (2013-2014), he compiled a 20-8 record at three different weight classes throughout the season but did not compete at the Big 12's or the NCAA's. As a sophomore (2014-2015), he compiled a 21-7 record and won his first Big 12 title, helping the Cowboys to win the team title.[13] At the NCAA's of that year, he went 4-2 to place fifth, earning All-American honors.[14] 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.[15] As a senior (2016-2017), he compiled a 23-7 record and won his second Big 12 title at 174 pounds.[16] 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.[17]

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.[18]

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.[19]

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.[20][21]

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.[22][23]

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.[24]

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.[25]

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.[26]

In his next bout, Crutchmer faced Scott Futrell in a 175-pounds catchweight on February 21, 2020 at Bellator 239.[27] He won the fight by submission in the first round.[28]

Crutchmer faced Kemran Lachinov on October 15, 2020 at Bellator 249.[29] He lost the bout by unanimous decision, marking the first loss of his mixed martial arts career.[30]

Personal life

In March 2020, Crutchmer and his girlfriend gave birth to their daughter.[31][32]

Championships and accomplishments

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

Professional record breakdown
7 matches	6 wins	1 loss
By knockout	1	0
By submission	3	0
By decision	2	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	6–1	Kemran Lachinov	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 249	October 15, 2020	3	5:00	Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win	6–0	Scott Futrell	Submission (anaconda choke)	Bellator 239	February 21, 2020	1	2:58	Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States	Catchweight (175 lb) bout.
Win	5–0	Robert Gidron	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 233	November 8, 2019	3	5:00	Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win	4–0	Josh Weston	Decision (unanimous)	XFN 356	November 8, 2019	3	5:00	Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win	3–0	Brandon Wright	TKO (punches)	XFN 352	February 1, 2019	1	3:59	Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States	Welterweight debut.
Win	2–0	Rocky Rosas	Submission (arm-triangle choke)	XFL: Rage on the River	August 3, 2018	2	1:08	Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States	Catchweight (175 lbs) bout.
Win	1–0	Ronald Beasley	Technical Submission (guillotine choke)	XFN 348	June 6, 2018	1	1:23	Miami, Oklahoma, United States	Middleweight debut.

Freestyle record

NCAA record

Stats

See also

• List of current Bellator fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

References

1. "Bellator". bellator.com. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
2. @KyleCrutchmer (June 20, 2017). "Proud to announce that I will be joining AKA This summer out in San José ! Also I am now apart of @ZinkinEnt ! #MMACAREER" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
3. "2016-17 Wrestling Roster: Kyle Crutchmer". okstate.com. Oklahoma State Cowboys. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
4. Crutchmer, Kyle (2019-04-08). "Started in 6th grade. Became number 1 in the country by my senior year in high school. Seen guys like you all the time and this is what happened. You are next bitch boypic.twitter.com/NA2hUKqWoc". @KyleCrutchmer. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
5. Editor, @dekotagregory, Dekota Gregory, Digital Sports. "Inspired: the evolution of Kyle Crutchmer". ocolly.com. Retrieved 2020-05-05.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
6. "Kyle Crutchmer's High School Football Stats". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
7. World, Barry Lewis Tulsa. "High schools: Union will induct 14 into Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
8. Writer, MATT DOYLE World Sports. "Union's Crutchmer wins national wrestling title". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
9. "Cowboy Wrestling Adds Seven". Oklahoma State University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
10. "2012 USAW Junior Freestyle Nationals". Trackwrestling. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
11. "FILA Cadet Nationals - FS". Trackwrestling. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
12. "2013 Junior Nationals - FILA - FS". Trackwrestling. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
13. "OK State clinches Big 12 championship | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
14. "See the results for the 2015 NCAA D1 Championships wrestling event on FloWrestling.org". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
15. Cox, Kyle (2016-03-01). "Crutchmer Out For Post Season". Cowboys Ride For Free. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
16. "Oklahoma State Keeps Wrestling Hardware". big12sports.com. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
17. Wells, Adam. "NCAA Wrestling Championships 2017: Results, Team Standings After Thursday". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
18. "Kyle Crutchmer - 2016-17 - Wrestling". Oklahoma State University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
19. "2013 ASICS University Nationals - FS". Trackwrestling. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
20. "Crutchmer, Perry Win Titles at ASICS University Nationals". Oklahoma State University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
21. "Ian Miller named Outstanding Wrestler at University Nationals in freestyle". Team USA. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
22. "Freestyle World Team Trials preview at 86 kg/189 lbs". Team USA. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
23. "FLOARENA". arena.flowrestling.org. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
24. "See the results for the 2017 Junior and Senior World Team Trials wrestling event on FloWrestling.org". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
25. Cain, Brandon M. (2019-07-10). "Former Oklahoma State wrestler Kyle Crutchmer signs with Bellator MMA". Cowboys Ride For Free. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
26. Cain, Brandon M. (2019-11-08). "Bellator 233: Former OSU wrestler Kyle Crutchmer wins Bellator debut". Cowboys Ride For Free. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
27. Cain, Brandon M. (2020-02-06). "Oklahoma State in MMA: Kyle Crutchmer vs. Scott Futrell set for Bellator 239". Cowboys Ride For Free. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
28. Cain, Brandon M. (2020-02-22). "Oklahoma State in MMA: Kyle Crutchmer wins by submission at Bellator 239". Cowboys Ride For Free. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
29. Sherdog.com. "Christian Edwards, Kyle Crutchmer Among Additions to Bellator 249 Preliminary Card". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
30. Cain, Brandon M. (2020-10-15). "Oklahoma State in MMA: Kyle Crutchmer suffers first career loss at Bellator 249". Cowboys Ride For Free. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
31. Staff, TJ Eckert, KTUL (2020-05-06). "Kyle Crutchmer fighting for more than himself". KTUL. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
32. "Kyle Crutchmer considers himself a 'way better athlete' than Bellator 249 opponent | MMAWeekly.com". 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2020-10-16.

External links

• Professional MMA record for Kyle Crutchmer from Sherdog