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.
