Jimmy Crute vs. Jamahal Hill targeted for UFC event on Oct. 2

A matchup between two of the top light heavyweight prospects is heading for the octagon this fall.

Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that a bout between Jimmy Crute and Jamahal Hill has been agreed upon for the UFC’s event on Oct. 2 at a location and venue yet to be announced. ESPN was first to report the booking.

Crute will look to bounce back from a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Anthony Smith at UFC 261, where he suffered a leg injury in the opening round and was unable to continue. Prior to facing the former title challenger, “The Brute” picked up back-to-back first-round finishes of Michal Oleksiejczuk and Modestas Bukauskas.

Hill will also hope to avoid the first losing streak of his career as he returns following a first-round TKO loss to Paul Craig this past month at UFC 263. “Sweet Dreams” suffered what looked to be a nasty arm injury while in an armbar from Craig but turned out to be a dislocation rather than a break. The Contender Series contract winner was unbeaten in his three previous octagon appearances, including a second-round TKO win over Ovince Saint Preux at UFC Vegas 16 in December.

The UFC’s Oct. 2 event will be headlined by a matchup between Thiago Santos, ranked No. 9 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, and Johnny Walker.