UFC 304: Gregory Rodrigues Dominates Christian Leroy Duncan with Superior Grappling

UFC 304: Gregory Rodrigues vs. Christian Leroy Duncan

In a standout performance at UFC 304, Gregory Rodrigues showcased his dominance over Christian Leroy Duncan in a compelling middleweight clash. Held at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, Rodrigues secured a unanimous decision victory, underscoring his prowess in both striking and grappling.

Rodrigues, known as "Robocop," proved to be a formidable challenge for Duncan, landing powerful blows and executing multiple takedowns throughout the fight. The judges scored the bout decisively in Rodrigues' favor, reflecting his control and effectiveness in all three rounds.

The first round set the pace with Rodrigues charging forward aggressively, landing early strikes that kept Duncan on the defensive. Although Duncan managed to land some leg and body kicks, Rodrigues responded with a takedown, maintaining control and outgrappling Duncan for the remainder of the round.

Round two saw Rodrigues continuing his onslaught, landing significant strikes that forced Duncan to initiate grappling exchanges. Despite Duncan's efforts, Rodrigues delivered a powerful uppercut during a clinch break and continued to pressure Duncan with his grappling skills. A knee strike from Rodrigues caused a large hematoma on Duncan's head, further emphasizing his dominance as he secured another takedown by the round's end.

In the final round, Duncan attempted to turn the tide with spinning back elbows but was quickly taken down by Rodrigues. Though Duncan managed to return to his feet and work for his takedown, Rodrigues' superior grappling prevailed. He clinched Duncan against the cage, eventually securing hooks for a rear-naked choke attempt, solidifying his control until the final bell.

Reflecting on his victory, Rodrigues, who stepped in on short notice, called out for a ranked opponent next. "Robocop" has now won three consecutive fights and five of his last six, making a strong case for his ascent in the middleweight rankings.

For Duncan, this loss marks a learning experience against a seasoned competitor, highlighting areas for improvement as he continues his journey in the UFC.