UFC middleweights Jared Cannonier and Christian Leroy Duncan locked horns earlier tonight in the co-main event of UFC Oklahoma City. After a hard-fought 15-min battle, Leroy Duncan cruised to a unanimous decision win, extending his UFC win streak to 5.
The Cannonier vs. Duncan bout was a constant back-and-forth affair. Although “CLD” was game for an early finish, the American briefly earned the Brit’s respect by dropping him.
Round 2 was more competitive; both fighters scored takedowns, and “The Killa Gorilla” managed to land a few damaging strikes but gassed out in the process. Meanwhile, Leroy Duncan landed an illegal kick on Cannonier in the second frame, but Ref Herb Dean did not take a point or halt the action.
In Round 3, Leroy Duncan dictated the pace as usual and made Cannonier endure further punishment. The 42-year-old needed a golden shot to win the bout but did not get one. However, he managed to end the contest with another takedown, clearly not enough to seal the round.
The damage on Jared Cannonier’s face was enough to understand that Christian Leroy Duncan was the better man tonight at UFC Oklahoma City.
Official result: Christian Leroy Duncan defeated Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
UFC Oklahoma City: Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Jared Cannonier: Highlights
