Jimmy Crute takes on Chris Birchler July 24 on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender series, hoping to earn the opportunity to vault into the UFC's light heavyweight ranks. 

Ahead of his showdown, Crute caught up with Wombat Jones, bringing fans a hot-fire interview to get them pumped for tonight's festivities.  

Wombat Jones: Joining me live from the fight capital of the world is the current reigning Hex Fights light heavyweight champion and the current No. 1 Australian light heavyweight who has a massive appearance coming up on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. It's the one and only Jimmy "The Brute" Crute. How are you doing?  

Jimmy Crute: Mate, it's currently 8:30 at night here and it's still 30 degrees (86 Fahrenheit) so I can't complain. [It's currently winter in Australia] 

WJ: Mate, I must say, I am jealous. I've never been to Vegas before and watching your Instagram, it looks ike you are loving every minute of it—including meeting Urijah Faber. What's it been like? 

JC: Yeah, mate, I've turned into a bit of a fanboy over here. I am loving it and Urijah is such a cool dude.  

WJ: I also saw you took a pic with Nick Newell, who is also fighting on the card. How was that—and what an inspiration, right?

JC: Yeah, he is a great guy and if he can do it, nobody has an excuse. 

WJ: Now, you've been to the Performance Institute, even met old mate Forrest Griffin. What was that experience like and how are the training facilities?

JC: It's an amazing place. I love Forrest. He is such a funny guy and makes me laugh although I proved Aussies can wrestle. He thinks Aussies can't wrestle. 

WJ: This is only a tiny glimpse of what the UFC is about, but has that fired you up any more?

JC: It's definitely put fuel on my fire, as I said I was fired up and ready to go three weeks ago. I was fired up and ready to go six weeks ago. It doesn't matter to me, but definitely added more fuel. 

WJ: Your training back home—how was it for this one? Did you bring in anyone extra? 

JC: We brought in a few new people for Birchler, but it was pretty much the same but different, if that makes sense.

WJ: On Birchler, what do you think of him as an opponent? Have you studied his past fights? 

JC: I've only watched the last three, that's all I really care about. Anything older than that and you really don't know too much. 

I think he is a very tough, very gritty, very strong opponent. I'm not taking him lightly whatsoever, [but] I think I have a lot of advantages over him, including the mental advantage, which is the most important one, but he still gets my respect like every opponent of mine. 

But that's not going to stop me putting it on him come fight night. I'm not taking him lightly. 

WJ: Looks like Dana only gives out contracts to the fighters who get it done quick. Does that come into play here?

JC: You've seen my fights, Wombat. You know what I fight like, and I don't need to change my style for that. 

WJ: I saw your video of you absolutely smashing a dummy bag, and it looked like you were taking it to the next level!

JC: I got this thing where I sort of am able to visualize my opponent, and it makes me go ape shit and it makes me wanna kill. I was just training away normally and something just clicked in me and I could see Chris Birchler's face on the bag, and I just wanted to rip it off—not emotionally, but I wanted to knock the bag out. 

WJ: This is your time to shine. All of the USA eyes are on you now. Do you feel any extra pressure? Or are you ready to show the world who you are as a martial artist? 

JC: The only pressure I put on myself is the pressure to perform. I know if I perform I'll beat anyone, and I know I'll beat anyone in style. 

The thought of Dana White and [UFC matchmakers] Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard being there—it's there but it's not a driving force. No matter if it's a fight on Hex or a fight down the street or a fight on the [Contender Series], I'm going to rock up to win and I'm going to rock up to win impressively. 

Yeah, it's there, but it's not the be all and end all. 

WJ: What is your prediction for this fight then? 

JC: I'm not one to sit here and say I'm going to KO him in the first or submit him in the first blah blah... What I will say is I'm going to put a pace on him and pressure him and it's going to be up to him to see how long he can last. 

He might be tough enough to last three rounds, but I don't think he will be, and I'm going to give him a way out. One way or another, I will give him a way out, and if he wants to take it, that's fine.  

WJ: Finally, how has the support been, and is there anyone you'd like to thank? 

JC: Since I've been over here (in Vegas) I have had a heap of support from back in Oz. It has really gone to the next level and I just want to thank everyone who has reached out. I will do a massive post after the fight so I don't miss anyone out.