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Brit UFC star Christian Leroy Duncan happy in 'dangerous' zone ahead of 'explosive' test

EXCLUSIVE: 'CLD' is ready to pass the test against dangerous Brazilian Marco Tulio in Las Vegas and continue his rise up the middleweight rankings in 2026

[UFC star Christian Leroy Duncan is looking for his third win of 2025 in Las Vegas on Saturday night]

UFC star Christian Leroy Duncan is looking for his third win of 2025 in Las Vegas on Saturday night(Image: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Christian Leroy Duncan is about to enter the danger zone and the Gloucester middleweight couldnt be more happy about it.

CLD has been in the UFC for nearly three years, but has really hit his stride in the last 12 months, claiming big wins over Russian Andrey Pulyaev and veteran star Eryk Anders.

Now the 30-year-old, who has showcased his versatile striking during his rise in the UFC since his debut in London in March 2023, wants to round off a fantastic 2025 with a victory over rising Brazilian star Marco Tulio at the Apex in Las Vegas tonight.

Believing he has the tools to take care of Tulio, he said: It is an exciting fight as we are both creative strikers, and explosive too.

"I wasnt too familiar with Marco when I first heard about the fight, but then when I did my research, I was like, Yeah, okay, this is a serious opponent.

[Christian Leroy Duncan showcases his striking in the Octagon]

Christian Leroy Duncan showcases his striking in the Octagon(Image: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

But these are the kind of fights that bring the most out of me, both in the octagon and throughout my fight camp. I think all my fights from now are going to be that kind of way.

"Theyre going to be a step up each time dangerous, more dangerous and more dangerous. However, this just makes me lock in even more, dial everything in, and Im just looking forward to stepping in there against Tulio.

Victory for Duncan, who is 5-2 in the UFC, would set up the chance to test himself against the best 185lb fighters in the octagon next year, with a ranking the Brits first target.

['CLD' lands a stiff elbow on Denis Tiuliulin en route to another victory]

'CLD' lands a stiff elbow on Denis Tiuliulin en route to another victory(Image: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

[British star Christian Leory Duncan will be out to get his hand raised again in the Octagon]

British star Christian Leory Duncan will be out to get his hand raised again in the Octagon(Image: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

He added: I like to be active and I have been this year, and Ive had good opponents throughout this year, too.

So Im not looking too far ahead, but I could definitely line up a fight to potentially put a number [ranking] next to my name.

That's ultimately the goal, the vision for this year, and then well take the rest as it comes.

But I have to step in this weekend and deal with the puzzle or deal with the challenge that is Tulio. It is going to be an explosive fight, exciting definitely, and a real crowd-pleaser.

Christian Leroy Duncan takes on Marco Tulio at UFC on ESPN: Bonfim vs Brown live at the UFC Apex in Enterprise, Nevada. The fight will be live on TNT Sports 2 from 12am on Sunday November 9.

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