Chris Duncan scaling back full-time job to focus on MMA after UFC 286
LONDON – Chris Duncan beat Omar Morales with a split decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 286 at The O2 in London.
Take a look inside the fight with Duncan, who won his UFC debut and got his third straight victory.
Chris Duncan vs. Omar Morales
Mar 18, 2023; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Chris Duncan (red gloves) fights Omar Morales (blue gloves) during UFC 286 at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
Result: Chris Duncan def. Omar Morales via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Duncan (10-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Morales (11-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC
Key stat: Duncan had 6:31 total control time in the fight.
Duncan on the fight's key moment
Mar 18, 2023; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Chris Duncan (red gloves) fights Omar Morales (blue gloves) during UFC 286 at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
“It was pretty difficult. I felt pretty on point, but my transitions weren’t as good as I wanted them to be. I think I got a little bit of rabbit in the headlights kind of thing.”
Duncan on getting his first UFC win
Mar 18, 2023; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Chris Duncan (red gloves) fights Omar Morales (blue gloves) during UFC 286 at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
“This fight meant a lot to me because financially, I was working full-time before I left to go to (American Top Team). So this kind of puts a stamp on that: I’m now a professional athlete and I can leave my work – not completely, but, not rely on work itself to look after my family.”
Duncan on what he wants next
Mar 18, 2023; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Chris Duncan (red gloves) fights Omar Morales (blue gloves) during UFC 286 at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
“If I could get a quick turnaround this time around from Sean (Shelby), if Sean can get me matched, I would really appreciate a quick turn. Since my (Dana White’s) Contender Series fight, that’s been nearly six months. That’s too long for me.
“I would like to be pretty active, obviously to try and get rid of those jitters and stuff like that, as well. This is supposed to be my job now, so I want to be able to look after it full-time and do what I need to do because I’m always learning.”
To hear more from Duncan, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.
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