UFC Fight Night: Jared Cannonier vs Christian Leroy Duncan Preview & Prediction
"CLD" aims to continue his surge up the rankings, taking on divisional mainstay, Jared Cannonier, at 185 pounds in the co-main event.
Jared Cannonier vs Christian Leroy Duncan facts
What time are Jared Cannonier and Christian Leroy Duncan expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman? Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 281
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman main card
Dricus du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman (Middleweight)
Jared Cannonier vs Christian Leroy Duncan (Middleweight)
Chase Hooper vs Mitch Ramirez (Lightweight)
Tommy McMillen vs Alberto Montes (Featherweight)
UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman prelims
Tabatha Ricci vs Fatima Kline (Women's Strawweight)
Austin Bashi vs Jose Miguel Delgado (Featherweight)
Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani vs Ko Seok-hyeon (Welterweight)
Levi Rodrigues Jr. vs Felipe Franco (Light Heavyweight)
Alden Coria vs Stewart Nicoll (Flyweight)
RJ Harris vs Alvin Hines (Heavyweight)
Anna Melisano vs Dione Barbosa (Women's Flyweight)
Marc-Andre Barriault vs TBC (Middleweight)
Jared Cannonier: What does "The Killa Gorilla" have left in the tank at 42 years of age?
One of the most seasoned veterans in the middleweight division, Jared Cannonier (18-9) returns after a disappointing defeat to Michael Page in his last outing. One of the rare fighters in UFC history with appearances and finishes in three separate weight classes, “The Killa Gorilla” has fought a bevy of top contenders since entering the ranks at 185 pounds, a run that saw him earn a title shot against Israel Adesanya back in 2022. Known for his powerful striking and ferocious finishing instincts once he has his opponent hurt, Cannonier has clearly declined in recent years; he’s 42 and has gone 2-3 across his last five, although it’s worth noting that all of those bouts came against solid opposition.
Christian Leroy Duncan: Can the Englishman score a stoppage in the biggest fight of his career?
Looking to continue his surge up the rankings into the Top 10, Christian Leroy Duncan (14-2) enters the biggest fight of his career riding a four fight win streak that includes two highlight reel KOs against Eryk Anders and Marco Tulio. A dynamic and creative kickboxer with an impressive arsenal of flashy striking techniques, Duncan has posted a record of 7-2 in the promotion since making the jump from Cage Warriors, with Gregory Rodrigues and Armen Petrosyan standing as the only two men to hand “CLD” a loss under the UFC banner. The Englishman enters this bout following the most high profile win of his career, a unanimous decision over Roman Dolidze on the UFC London card.
Jared Cannonier vs Christian Leroy Duncan prediction
“CLD’s” last fight gave major cause for concern in terms of his viability as a legitimate middleweight contender. Roman Dolidze is notoriously one dimensional and he still managed to make it competitive with Duncan across three rounds by mixing in takedowns.
However, we’re still going with the Englishman here. Duncan doesn’t have the best wrestling defence, but Cannonier simply hasn’t shot for takedowns with enough consistency throughout his career to make me think that he’s going to work a wrestling clinic here. If he doesn’t, he’s going to be stuck on the feet with Duncan, who looks to have at a major speed advantage in the striking department.
Cannonier has been pieced up on the feet by faster, more dynamic strikers in each of his five most recent losses, a mold that Duncan fits perfectly. He’s extremely difficult to finish outright, but when faced with this sort of stylistic match up, he either fails to pull the trigger with any consistency, or marches forward eating a steady diet of strikes in the vain hope of a one-hitter quitter.
It's up in the air as to whether Duncan puts “The Killa Gorilla” away here, but I see him peppering Cannonier at range for 15 minutes to earn the biggest win of his career regardless. With that being said, I wouldn't be surprised if his speed advantage sees him add "The Killa Gorilla" to his highlight reel.
Prediction: Christian Leroy Duncan to win
