At UFC 286 this Saturday, former Cage Warriors middleweight champion Christian Leroy Duncan will make his UFC debut.
The 27-year-old is scheduled to face veteran UFC fighter Dasko Todorovic, who himself is close to defeating Jordan Wright. Todorovic will be the most experienced fighter Duncan has faced so far, but he’s already told fans what to expect.
“Sometimes I myself don’t know what’s going on there. I’d say it’s very fluid and sober, and unexpectedly, you see a lot of unorthodox fighting styles. I like to have a good time out there and then as the fight goes on , things change,” Duncan said.
The Gloucestershire native was due to defend his Cage Warrior title against Jesse Taylor in December, but the match was called off after Jesse Taylor hit and run. Duncan mentioned that he was very excited about that game because of Jesse Taylor’s experience, but he took comfort in the fact that Todorovic also has a lot of experience.
“I was kind of looking forward to it just because through the amateurs and my early days in IMMAF, I was fighting world champions and top players from other countries, so it could only match that caliber. Same thing with cage fighters, me and those from other countries The organization’s champions don’t have undefeated and ten-win streak guys fighting, so it’s following the same trajectory,” he said.
Oddly enough, before Duncan found MMA, he was working hard at basketball and dreaming of making it to the NBA one day. The Brit explained how some of what he learned in basketball has been applied to MMA.
“I would talk about the physicality, footwork, and tactical aspects of the game. I play at the highest level in the country, so the training sessions are very detailed and very strategic, so I apply this idea to MMA. With the experience I have played in the past creativity, I applied that too, and I think it all adds up to a dangerous combination,” Duncan said.
Watch the entire media day panel with Christian Leroy Duncan above. He takes on Dasko Torodovich at UFC 286 at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night.
