Christian Leroy Duncan Reveals Heartfelt Motivation Ahead of First UFC Main Event

English middleweight Christian Leroy Duncan is headlining his first UFC event this weekend, hunting for a place in the top five at 185lbs.

Across the Octagon stands a true UFC veteran in Brendan Allen, who will make his 20th appearance in the UFC when he walks to the cage on Saturday.

Speaking exclusively to Rob Smith, Duncan discussed the opportunity and his preparation for his first main event.

“As soon as I heard it, yeah was the answer instantly, yes. I am always trying to aim higher with my opponents. I always say a couple names I want to compete against, and this was one of the names I would have liked to compete against.”

His previous victory came only months ago in July. However, the quick turnaround did not deter CLD from taking the bout.

“My last fight was in July, so it was a short turnaround time between the two. So even though this camp was shorter than usual, I was coming off the back of the last fight, so I was already in good shape, always training, so always in good shape and mentally in a good place as well with everything and the way we are progressing and growing. So it just worked out perfectly.”

When asked about the matchup with seasoned contender Allen and facing someone with such a wealth of experience, the Brit had this to say:

“He has a wealth of experience, but none of those guys have been me and none of those guys have my style and bring the problems that I bring.”

He followed up by discussing the American contender and the vast amount of tape available for study.

“He has a refined skillset. He’s very strong in the areas he is strong in. He’s a pressure fighter, likes to get in and dirty, which is perfect for what I like to do too. I think we have similar areas where we like to work from, just different techniques in those areas. We got things set for wherever the fight goes and if we do enter those ranges.”

The confidence is clearly oozing through his veins, and who could blame him? The stylish striker is on a five-fight win streak within a recent 18-month window.

A victory this weekend would cement the Englishman into title eliminator territory. With a big grin, Duncan discussed a potential UFC London main event next year if all goes well this weekend.

“Sounds good, it sounds good. A main event in London would be an amazing experience. Home soil, home crowd, the energy would be crazy. But of course, we’ve got work to do and we got a job to do this weekend. We can talk more about that after this weekend, but yeah, for sure, that would be an amazing opportunity.”

Whenever CLD is in front of the media or inside the cage, there is an essence of calm and composure in his answers and his general demeanour, which inevitably allows him to flow so well in his striking game.

He spoke about his composure and controlling his nerves, particularly ahead of his first main event this weekend.

“It is all about, for me, channel it and use it for fuel. It is more like anticipation. I would not say it gets to me in a way where it’s excitement.”

He elaborated:

“I am always looking at new ways to evolve. How can I do this? How can we get this better? Just constantly growing inside and outside the cage. It’s an amazing opportunity, don’t get it mixed up, being a main event spot, but it’s very much the same in terms of, we’re here to put on a performance and get to that title spot. Nothing changes.”

Duncan spoke eloquently about his childhood best friend Joel, known as ‘Yungs’, and how he continues to honour and remember him.

“On the first day of primary school we got close. I came into school a bit later and we dropped into class to get a feeling for school, and outside the gates our parents, they knew each other, so his mum said to look after me. And from that day onwards we were close, inseparably close throughout the whole of school... basically brothers.”

Devastatingly, Joel passed away at the age of 20. CLD spoke about how that loss has motivated him and continues to drive his career.

“That’s been a big part of my motivation. He had an accident before his 21st birthday, so he’s no longer with us now, but he is still with us in our hearts. He is forever living, hence Forever Yungs.

“He was a musician as well, a very talented musician at that, so his song I had on my walkout for my debut at The O2. So he got to be there amongst us and also perform his song in front of the whole crowd.”

This weekend provides the perfect chance for Christian Leroy Duncan to announce himself to the world and the elite fighters at the pinnacle of the 185lbs division.

A victory over Allen would represent the biggest win of his career so far, as CLD continues a journey driven by both his own ambitions and the memory of one of the people closest to him.

Christian Leroy Duncan faces Brendan Allen in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday, 10 October.

UK fans can watch the event live on TNT Sports, with streaming available through HBO Max. TNT Sports

For full broadcast information and the latest UFC schedule, visit: https://www.tntsports.co.uk/mixed-martial-arts/ufc/2026/which-fights-tnt-sports-how-watch-tv-live-stream_sto23282819/story.shtml