UFC veteran Anthony Smith to fight Jimmy Crute on April 24

UFC veteran light heavyweight Anthony Smith (34-16-0) stayed quite busy during the 2020 fighting year drastically altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 32-year-old isn't resting during the first half of 2021. 

ESPN's Brett Okamoto wrote on Tuesday that Smith will fight promising prospect Jimmy Crute (12-1-0) on April 24. As Danny Segura noted for MMA Junkie, UFC 261 is set to occur that night, but the event does not yet have a disclosed location. 

Smith is replacing Johnny Walker (18-5-0), who was supposed to face Crute on March 27 but withdrew from that bout due to an injury. Without dropping any names, Crute accused Walker in a crude Instagram post of ducking him but added: 

"I can’t express how excited and grateful I am that a true fighter has decided to step in and fight me. This is a better fight, better name and bigger challenge but I’m ready for it." 

Smith, No. 6 in the official UFC rankings for the division, lost two of three fights last year but is coming off a win over Devin Clark in November. He told ESPN he's excited to battle the 24-year-old ranked No. 12. 

"He's a good kid and he deserves it, it's a tough fight for sure," Smith said of Crute.

Crute is on a two-fight winning streak that includes back-to-back first-round stoppages.