Crane returns to action in UFC

It’s been nearly six months since Alberto Crane made his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut.

And it’s been nearly six months that Crane’s been focussed on getting back into the octagon.

It is a scenario, like many, that the Glendale resident shares with his Wednesday opponent, Kurt Pellegrino, as the two will square off in a three-round lightweight (155 pounds and under) bout as part of the untelevised undercard of UFC Fight Night at the Pearl Palms Concert Theater in Las Vegas.

“It’s the most important fight [I’ve had],” said Crane, who is 8-1 (0-1 in the UFC) in his mixed-martial arts career. “It’s a really important fight for both of us.”

Both combatants lost to big-name lightweight contenders on Aug. 25’s UFC 74 card, with Crane losing by stoppage to Roger Huerta and Pellegrino getting decisioned by Joe Stephenson, who fought for the UFC lightweight title on Saturday.

With both fighters looking to rebound from losses, the importance of Wednesday’s bout is magnified. They’re not just coming back from losses, though, but from injuries sustained in them.

“I lost a real tough fight,” said Pellegrino, who lost by unanimous decision.

Pellegrino broke his left hand, while Crane suffered a right medial orbital blowout fracture.

Perhaps the biggest similarity between the two fighters, however, is the means in which past success has come to them and, therefore, the nearly identical game plans to take the fight to the ground.

“On paper, it should go to the ground,” Crane said. “But you never know, maybe we’ll stand up for three rounds.”

Of Crane’s eight victories, seven have come via submission. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and former BJJ world champion contends with a fighter in Pellegrino, who boasts a similarly impressive submission resumé. Pellegrino (10-3, 2-2 in UFC) has won eight of his fights by submission, and is hoping to do the same on Wednesday.

“I would like to submit him, [that] is my first goal,” Pellegrino said, “but I would take a ground and pound or knockout if I have to.”

Much like Crane, Pellegrino had to take some time away from contact to let his injury healed up, but said he’s 100% healthy and ready.

“This one will put me back on track,” Pellegrino said. “I’m not looking at this any other way than a ‘W.’

“I’ve been just dreaming and waiting for the day [to get back in the octagon].”

Crane, who’s already made his way to Las Vegas, has completely dedicated himself to training since recovering from his injury. He spent most of his time training in Temecula at Team Quest, which is run by longtime MMA standouts Dan Henderson and Matt Lindland.

His training saw Crane spend the work week in Temecula, while returning home to his wife and young son in Glendale on the weekends.

“I had to take off and just focus 100% [on training],” Crane said. “It’s been kind of rough.”

Crane also took a hiatus from his job teaching at the Glendale Fighting Club, but believes all the sacrifices are worth it for the training his received with Team Quest.

“It’s just a great environment,” Crane said.

After two-and-a-half years away from MMA, Crane’s return bout against Huerta saw him fight valiantly, showcasing his world-class ground skills, but also clearly being overmatched on his feet.

Hence, Crane said training his Jiu-Jitsue has been put on the “backburner,” while concentrating most on bettering himself as a mixed-martial artist.

“[I’m] just trying to get better, work on my weaknesses,” Crane said.

Going into Wednesday’s tilt, both said they had great training camps and are raring to go.

“I can’t wait, I’m just gonna go [all out],” Pellegrino said.

Added Crane: “I’m ready to go, I’m ready to kick his ass.”

The card, which is headlined by a welterweight fight between Mike Swick and Josh Burkman, airs live on Spike TV, beginning at 6 p.m. Four main card bouts will air, with a chance that the Crane-Pellegrino fight or any of the other four fights on the undercard airing if time permits.

Pellegrino’s fight with Stevenson and Crane’s match with Huerta were both part of the main UFC 74 pay-per-view card, but neither gave much thought to the possible lack of exposure. Victorious aspirations and fight preparation were clearly more important.

“It’ll be exciting, I know that,” Crane said. “My goal is to win and win big and put myself on the map in UFC.”