Oklahoma State in MMA: Kyle Crutchmer suffers first career loss at Bellator 249

Kyle Crutchmer is no longer undefeated.

The former two-time Big 12 champion and two-time NCAA All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State dropped an unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) to Kemran Lachinov at welterweight Thursday at Bellator 249 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Lachinov extended his win streak to eight, including five in Bellator.

Crutchmer (6-1, 2-1 Bellator) and Lachinov (9-2, 5-0) exchanged low calf kicks early in the first round before the Tulsa Union product delivered a hard right about two minutes in. The two continued to size each other up then Crutchmer tried a jumping left knee strike and double-leg takedown at the end of the round.

(Note: Crutchmer wears Wrestler Pistol Pete on his trunks.)

The second round was largely the same with Crutchmer again trying a new striking attack with a spinning back kick that didn’t quite land in Lachinov’s midsection. Lachinov controlled the center of the cage and was the aggressor late in the round, but Crutchmer landed more strikes.

About 2:30 into the third, Lachinov put his hands down and begged Crutchmer to hit him. Crutchmer stayed composed and threw a few strikes.

Although Lachinov continued to control the center his strikes didn’t land effectively and Crutchmer locked in double under hooks and pushed him against the cage. Crutchmer then kept the position for more than a minute, but Lachinov was able to land a few shots to the head and body. Crutchmer had one big right knee to the body before Lachinov rolled through in the final 10 seconds and unsuccessfully tried to lock up a knee bar.