Tonight's UFC Oklahoma City event is co-headlined by a middleweight contest featuring Jared Cannonier taking on Christian Leroy Duncan.
Cannonier (18-10 MMA) will be competing for the first time since dropping a decision to Michael Page eleven months ago at UFC 319. Prior to that setback, ‘Tha Killa Gorilla' was coming off a fourth-round TKO victory over Gregory Rodrigues. The 42-year-old has gone 3-3 over his past six Octagon appearances overall.
Meanwhile, Christian Leroy Duncan (15-2 MMA) will enter this evening's co-main event on a four-fight winning streak, with his most recent victory coming over Roman Dolidze this past March in London. Prior to that, ‘CLD' was coming off back-to-back knockout victories over Eryk Anders and Marco Tulio respectively.
Round one of the UFC Oklahoma City co-main event begins and Jared Cannonier lands a hard body shot after Christian Leroy Duncan misses with a high kick. The former title challenger with a jab. ‘CLD' with some low kicks in return. Now a front kick to the body. Cannonier jumps on a single leg. Duncan answers with a jumping knee while somehow avoiding the takedown. Cannonier still has him clinched against the cage. Both men working hard or position. ‘CLD' with a couple of heel kicks to the thigh of the veteran. Cannonier tries to drag the fight to the floor. Christian Leroy Duncan avoids the takedown and lands a nice knee. He gets back to space and lands a right cross. Jared Cannonier replies with a looping left. He shoots in for a takedown and manages to push Duncan against the cage. Two minutes remain in the round. ‘CLD' reverses the position. He drops down and is able to scoop up Jared and throw him down to the canvas. ‘Tha Killa Gorilla' is back up but he eats a standing elbow for his efforts. Christian Leroy Duncan is unloading big shots now. A hard elbow and then a flying knee. Jared Cannonier is on the run now. He gets pinned against the cage and Cannonier connects with a good left hand of his own. This fight is getting interesting. Duncan gets taken down. Cannonier loses the position at the final second and we go to round two.
The second round of the UFC Oklahoma City co-main event begins and Christian Leroy Duncan comes forward and lands a hard low kick. A spinning back kick sends Jared Cannonier to the floor. ‘CLD' attacks with a flying kick as the veteran returns to his feet. That was close to being illegal. Regardless, fight continues and Duncan is now defending a single leg takedown. Cannonier lands a good standing elbow as Duncan gets back to space. A clubbing right hand over the top from Cannonier. Christian Leroy Duncan answers with a big combination. Another good counter from Jared Cannonier connects flush. A spinning elbow from ‘CLD' rings the bell of ‘Tha Killa Gorilla'. Cannonier waves Duncan to come forward. He does and Jared forces the clinch and puts him against the cage. A clubbing elbow from Cannonier connects. He shoots in and scores with a takedown. He's now working from the half guard of Duncan and landing some short shots. ‘CLD' scrambles and somehow gets to the back of Cannonier. The horn ends an entertaining second round.
The third and final round of this middleweight battle begins and Christian Leroy Duncan lands a pair of kicks to get things started. He throws a third, but Cannonier blocks it. A clean combination lands for ‘CLD'. Now a crisp jab. Cannonier looks to close the distance, but his uppercut attempt falls short. Cannonier forces a body lock and then drags Duncan to the ground, but only for a moment. ‘CLD' quickly scrambles back up and gets back to range. He lands a low kick. Jared Cannonier forces the clinch and pushes the Brit back up against the cage. ‘Tha Killa Gorilla' with a knee to the body. Cannonier likely needs a finish. He has just over two minutes to make it happen. He scores a trip takedown and then another as ‘CLD' refuses to stay put. Jared with some knees to the thighs. Christian Leroy Duncan breaks free to range and then just misses with a high kick. He lands a big knee. A spinning elbow just misses. Both men look tired. They spill to the ground after a hard fought fifteen minutes.
Official UFC Oklahoma City Results: Christian Leroy Duncan def. Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Who would you like to see Duncan fight next following his victory over Cannonier this evening in Oklahoma? Share your thoughts in the comment section PENN Nation!
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