UFC Oklahoma City’s co-main event was a middleweight clash that saw former title challenger Jared Cannonier taking on rising British standout Christian Leroy Duncan.
Since losing to Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues in 2024, CLD had won four straight, earning him a crack at Cannonier, still holding the division’s #10 ranking coming in to Satuday night’s event at the Paycom Center.
Duncan came out with a kick to start the action on Saturday, and was the much more active fighter earlier, especially with his kicking attacks. He showed some awkward movement and angles, but Cannonier nevertheless took him to the fence, pursuing a single leg. CLD tried to land a jumping knee to defend that, but Cannonier was okay, and stayed on Duncan.
It was Duncan, however, who would end up in the driver’s seat. While Cannonier would break free, CLD chased him, firing knees, punches, landing several, and having “The Killa Gorilla” in survival mode until the Brit got a little too aggressive. Cannonier landed one or two of his own, slowing the action and surviving the round.
Round two had Cannonier down, off a CLD kick that more put him off-balance, early, with Duncan immediately firing a jumping knee that was borderline illegal. It didn’t land, at least not clean, which probably saved Duncan a point. Cannonier, meanwhile, made it back up, but still had to contend with the knee strikes, not to mention hands, of Christian Leroy Duncan. Cannonier had slowed, and was covering up as much as he was fighting back. CLD landed a spinning elbow that staggered Cannonier.
Late in the frame, with Cannonier on his knees, Duncan piled on with some punches to the side of the head. Cannonier grabbed the fence at least twice, but managed to avoid a point deduction.
Duncan was right back on the attack in round three, while Cannonier took a deep breath and looked for a way inside. Cannonier, however, wasn’t out of it just yet. He walked CLD to the fence, getting underhooks and controlling the longer man. They’d end up fighting to the final horn, with no surprise as to the winner. A big win for Christian Leroy Duncan over a veteran title challenger. He now has five straight wins as he pushes into the top 10.
Official Result: Christian Leroy Duncan def. Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
