Bellator 247 marked the promotion’s debut on CBS Sports Network — and it was Scotland’s Chris Duncan taking on Iamik Furtado in the very first fight on the platform. The bout was held at a 160lb catchweight, and “The Problem” — traditionally a lightweight — was just that for Furtado.
The Scottish fighter improved to 7-0 with a first round knockout to open the card on Thursday. Quite the start to Bellator’s CBS era.
“Amazing. That was a fantastic f*cking fight,” Duncan exclaimed following the bout, immediately apologizing for the profanity. Hey, it’s the fight business. A few dirty words aren’t about to raise many eyebrows.
“Much respect to Furtado, he’s a true opponent, and tough as nails,” Duncan added, speaking to media outlets including Cageside Press.
What is raising eyebrows is Duncan’s continued progression early in his professional career. It’s not just the seven wins — but the manner in which they’ve come, a finish each and every time out. That bodes well for more main card placements. In this case, the billing came thanks to the late shake-up that saw Daley vs. Anderson fall off the card.
After the fight, Duncan appeared to call out SBG Ireland fighter Kiefer Crosbie. The CBS SN broadcast cut away just then, but the Scottish fighter confirmed it backstage. “It was, buddy!” Duncan exclaimed with a laugh.
The reason is simple, and not at all personal. “I just think he’s a good opponent. He’s my next stepping stone. I don’t not like the guy. I’d just like to fight that guy,” Duncan explained.
“He’s got a lot of talent, a lot of skills, from a great gym. He talks a lot, so he’ll put me up there. I do my talking in the cage, he does his talking outside the cage,” added Duncan, who suggested the pair meet in either Dublin, Ireland or Glasgow, Scotland.
While the timing would work out — Crosbie fights this Saturday — Duncan also noted that he could even step up short notice on the upcoming Paris card, depending on how his body feels. There are other factors to consider as well, when it comes to his return. “Sometimes this can be not only physically demanding on your body, but mentally demanding as well. I have a girlfriend at home who I miss, and I go away, so it’s good to spend some time with her, because it’s all about me in the fight camp, and she doesn’t get enough attention” said Duncan, finishing by saying “it’s her time now.”
Watch the full Bellator 247 post-fight press scrum with Chris Duncan above.
