Duncan Eyes Title Shot After Allen Test, Surprised by MVP's UFC Release

Christian Leroy Duncan has spent five consecutive fights climbing the middleweight ladder, and on Saturday night at UFC Vegas 122, he steps into the main event for the first time in his career. His opponent is Brendan Allen, a top-five ranked grappler with elite-level experience, and the stakes are clear: a win could position Duncan for a title shot, though the path remains uncertain and crowded.

Duncan's recent resume reads like a deliberate progression through the division's upper tier. His last two victories came against Roman Dolidze and Jarred Cannonier—a strong grappler and a powerful striker, respectively—and both were unanimous decisions that demonstrated his ability to perform at a higher level. Now he faces Allen in his first five-round fight, a significant step up in both duration and competition. The British fighter from Gloucester acknowledged the magnitude of the moment when he sat down to discuss the bout, but he was measured about what a victory would mean for his immediate future.

Duncan sees the middleweight division as a logjam of contenders, each with their own claim to a title opportunity. Sean Strickland holds the belt after defeating Khamzat Chimaev in May to become a two-time champion. The next challenger appears to be Nassourdine Imavov, a French kickboxer who has won five straight fights since losing a decision to Strickland back in 2023, though the fight has not yet been officially agreed. Above Allen in the pecking order sit Chimaev—who may move up to light heavyweight—and Dricus Du Plessis. Duncan's logic was straightforward: if he beats Allen, who is ranked fifth, and he has already beaten Cannonier (top ten) and Dolidze (top fifteen), then a former champion would be the natural next step. But he knows the division's shape could shift before his name rises to the top of the list.

Duncan was visibly surprised when the UFC released Michael 'Venom' Page, his fellow British fighter, despite Page's 5-1 record in the organization. Page is an electrifying kickboxer whose counter-striking style has drawn criticism for making opponents hesitant to engage, sometimes resulting in less exciting fights. Many observers attributed his release to a lack of finishes rather than a lack of wins. Duncan, who had previously named Page as a dream opponent, expressed genuine disappointment at the decision. He felt the UFC should have offered Page another contract and given him another chance to prove himself. Duncan spoke with respect for Page, saying he had been a fan of his work coming up through the ranks.

When asked about the anticipated Strickland versus Imavov matchup, Duncan saw a genuinely competitive fight. Imavov is a skilled striker with a solid ground game and well-rounded abilities, while Strickland's greatest weapon is his ability to maintain pace and pressure for all five rounds. Strickland has a track record of winning fights that appear close on paper, but Duncan leaned slightly toward Imavov if forced to pick a winner. The middleweight division, he suggested, is in good health—deep with talent, unpredictable, and full of fighters capable of surprising results. For Duncan, the immediate task is clear: beat Allen on Saturday night and see where the pieces fall.