UNCASVILLE, Conn. – After back-to-back losses, former LFA champion Jaleel Willis was worried that another loss might have him on the outs with Bellator.
“This whole camp, this whole year I’ve been thinking I’ve been underperforming in my contract,” Willis told MMA Junkie after Bellator 289 on Friday. “I’ve got to get back with it. Scott Coker doesn’t have me here to be losing and stuff like that. I had to make sure I put a big stamp (on my performance), or at least go out and die trying.”
The stamp for Willis (16-4 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) was a dominant win over Kyle Crutchmer (9-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) in Uncasville, Conn. Crutchmer was roughly a 3-1 favorite in the fight, but Willis outstruck him by a factor of nearly 4-1 and stuffed all 12 of the standout wrestler’s takedown attempts.
“I think I respected his power a little too much and waited on the wrestling a little too much, but once that second round came along, I started feeling good,” Willis said. “… I knew I was going to stuff some takedowns, but I didn’t think I was going to stuff all of them. My coaches, they believed in me and let me know: ‘He’s going to shoot 10 times, and we’re going to stuff 11.'”
To hear Willis talk about his win over Crutchmer, his preparation for it and what he wants next, check out the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 289.
