Kyle Crutchmer


Kyle Crutchmer 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 is a two-time NCAA All-American and two-time Big 12 champion.

Early life

Crutchmer was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Union High School, where he was a two-sport varsity athlete, competing in football and wrestling. He was a standout as a footballer, helping the Redskins to 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 and compiled an 198-30 record in folkstyle. In freestyle he won the prestigious NHSCA Junior National title and earned All-American honors.

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.
In his redshirt season, he compiled a 15-1 record in open tournaments at 174 pounds. As a freshman, 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, he compiled a 21-7 record and won his first Big 12 title, helping the Cowboys to win the team title. At the NCAA's of that year year, he went 4-2 to place fifth, earning All-American honors. As a junior, 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, 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 is a 2-time All-American and 2-time Big 12 champion with a record of 79 victories and 26 defeats.

Freestyle

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 2-time NCAA champion Gabe Dean and got thrown to the consolation bracket. He continued with strength 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.

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling

Folkstyle

Kyle 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. On April 2020, Crutchmer and his girlfriend gave birth to their daughter.

Mixed martial arts record

Freestyle record

! colspan="7"| Senior Freestyle Matches
! Res.
! Record
! Opponent
! Score
! Date
! Event
! Location
! style=background:white colspan=7 |
! style=background:white colspan=7 |
! style=background:white colspan=7 |

NCAA record

! colspan="8"| NCAA Championships Matches
! Res.
! Record
! Opponent
! Score
! Date
! Event
! style=background:white colspan=6 |2017 NCAA Championships 7th at 174 lbs
! style=background:white colspan=6 |2015 NCAA Championships 5th at 174 lbs

Stats

! Season
! Year
! School
! Rank
! Weigh Class
! Record
! Win
! Bonus