Chris Duncan eyes UFC ranking in first headliner against Renato Moicano at UFC Fight Night

Chris Duncan will look to break into the UFC lightweight rankings when he takes on division veteran Renato Moicano this weekend.
The two men will throw down over five rounds at the Meta Apex this coming Saturday.

Career Opportunity

Duncan (15:2) will headline a UFC event for the first time. The Scottish product has gone 6:1 since his debut in March 2023, where he edged a decision over Omar Morales.

A stunning comeback win on Dana White’s Contender Series earned him a UFC contract.

After being rocked and stunned by Charlie Campbell multiple times in the first round, a thundering right-hand from Duncan KO’d his opponent.

He will enter his bout against Moicano riding a four fight win streak. The last time fans saw him in the Octagon was December, when he submitted Terrence McKinney with an anaconda choke in round one.

A win this weekend would see him gain a lightweight ranking for the first time in his career. In a main event slot, it is undoubtedly both the biggest fight and opportunity of his career.

Stopping the Rot

Brazil’s Moicano (20:7) comes in on a two fight losing skid. Last June saw him lose a decision to Beneil Dariush and, prior to that he was submitted by Islam Makhachev – albeit on short notice.

Before these back to back losses, he was on a four fight win streak, picking up victories over multiple lightweight staples. These names included the likes of Drew Dober, Jalin Turner and Benoit St. Denis.

Not to be underestimated, the veteran aims to reinsert himself into the division’s picture and prove he still has fuel left in the tank.

Common Ground

Both men actively train at American Top Team under head coach Mike Brown.

The gym is host to an array of talented lightweights, which Duncan has praised in the past.

Back in 2022, he said: “Just being among the guys at ATT has been an eye opener in so many senses. (…) I’m not knocking anybody that I’ve trained with back home, but this has been the best thing that has happened to my career to this day.”

He mentioned the likes of Arman Tsarukyan, Dustin Poirier and his opponent – Renato Moicano.

Once a training partner, now a chance to break into the upper echelons of the division, Duncan will put his praise aside to focus on the target in front of him.