'Never say die': Jimmy Crute backs Duke Didier to crack the UFC ahead of Endouro Fight Series

Because any time a cornerman sees his fighter grappling with Didier, his head falls into his hands. This story only ever ends one way.

World-ranked light heavyweight Crute has backed his training partner Didier to reach the UFC as he relaunches his mixed martial arts career at heavyweight in the new year.

Didier's journey restarts when he faces former traiing partner and protege in DJ Taumoepeau in the main event of Endouro Fight Series' first show at the Hellenic Club of Canberra on February 5.

The Canberra product is determined to put a hellacious two-year period punctuated by career-threatening injuries and lockdowns behind him to knock down the door of the world's leading mixed martial arts promotion.

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"I was told I may never fight again, so to be able to come back, and with the way all of the ducks have fallen in a row and I've got to come back in Canberra, it's always very special. I can't think of a better place to come back and try to get things rolling again," Didier said.

"Look, I'm glad DJ took the fight, and I don't have anything personal with him, but I have to break him. Like I've always said, I can't, I don't, and I won't lose fights in Canberra.

"The style at heavyweight, it suits me so much more. I wish I did this a little earlier, but now I can see my career having a lot more longevity because I've made the decision to be a lot heavier. The body feels incredible. It's great. I honestly feel so much better now at 110 kilos than I ever felt cutting to 93 [at light heavyweight].

"A lot of heavyweights don't peak until they're 35, 36, and I'm 32. Honestly I feel like I've still got a good couple of years left in me. My grappling down here has just improved to another level.

"I feel like if I can get a hold of a few of these heavyweights, I'm going to show there is different levels to the grappling."

Crute knows he can too, adamant Didier can "definitely" force his way into the UFC.

It would be a stirring story. Didier left Canberra for Melbourne to chase the dream under the guidance of Daniel Kelly and Sam Hayward at the Resilience Training Centre in 2019.

What followed were bicep tears, COVID-19 lockdowns and two surgeries to repair a blood clot in Didier's right leg that doctors said would end his career with a 7-1 record.

Somehow he found the will to push on. Even during Victorian lockdowns that forced him to train in carparks before professional athletes were able to gain permits to train inside a gym. Police came knocking when they did to ensure everybody had a permit, and "all our ducks were in a row".

Through all of this, Didier has come out the other side a more complete fighter. In Crute's eyes, he's a threat to anyone he steps in the cage with.

"He's got the skills, he's got the work ethic, he's got the never say die attitude to get anywhere he wants to. I definitely see him hanging in there with anyone," Crute said.

"Mate, obviously when he first got down here he had the leg issues. I don't know if he's let on how bad it was. It was really hard for him to do anything when he first got down here. To try and improve in striking when you've got no legs, it's a really hard thing to do. He was really stagnant and could barely move.

"Now it's like he's a different person. He's moving around with straight boxers, he's not so one-dimensional anymore. He's a complete fighter.

"He's always had power, even at light heavyweight he had power but he just couldn't deliver it. He just couldn't move to get into the positions to throw. Now he's got footwork, he's got skills. I think he hits just as hard, but he's got the skills to deliver that power now.

"His grappling is unreal. If he gets a hold of any heavyweight they're in for a long night. Well, probably a short night to be honest."

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