UFC 304: Savage Middleweight Strikers Clash at Manchester PPV

UFC 304 keeps getting better.

Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

Gregory Rodrigues vs. Christian Leroy Duncan is official for UFC Manchester on July 27.

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Duncan's original opponent, Robert Bryczek, has withdrawn. No official statements have been released, and Rodrigues announced his short-notice booking via social media.

The countdown begins! Preparing to face my next opponent with everything I’ve got. Watch out! 💥 #UFC304 pic.twitter.com/aMGL6kvEvM

— Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues (@gregory_mma) June 27, 2024

Despite the short-notice nature of the fight, Rodrigues is still a colossal step up in competition for Duncan, who last defeated Claudio Ribeiro in March. Rodrigues, who has been kept out of the middleweight rankings by upset losses to Brunno Ferreira and Armen Petrosyan, finished perennial middleweight contender Brad Tavares in February.

Rodrigues vs. Duncan: One to Watch at UFC 304

Not only does Rodrigues possess an 83% finish rate inside the UFC, but his gun-ho fighting style is incredibly crowd-pleasing. Whilst possessing some of the best grappling skills at middleweight, Rodrigues prefers to storm his opponents on the feet and trade shots.

💣 💣 💣

Gregory Rodrigues with a BIG TKO against Brad Tavares!#UFCVegas86 | Live on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/RLmFTwySEm

— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) February 11, 2024

Former Cage Warriors middleweight champion Duncan is also a striking practitioner. He lost his undefeated record against Petrosyan in his second UFC bout but recouped with back-to-back finishes against Tiuliulin and Ribeiro. Duncan has an unconventional striking style relying on effective feints and spinning techniques. Duncan overloads his opponents with information.

Look at the number of different techniques Christian Leroy Duncan used in his opening round against Ribeiro

Spinning elbows. Heel kicking the leg. Feinting a headbutt 😂. What a performance from CLD #UFCVegas87 pic.twitter.com/pp8rW8hwtm

— Steven Rae (@stevenrae_) March 2, 2024

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UFC 304 Full Card

(subject to change)

• Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Gregory Rodrigues; MW
• Modestas Bukauskas vs. Marcin Prachnio; LHW
• Sam Patterson vs. Kiefer Crosbie; WW
• Mick Parkin vs. Lukasz Brzeski; HW
• Oban Elliott vs. Preston Parsons; WW
• Caolan Loughran vs. Ramon Taveras; BW
• Molly McCann vs. Bruna Brasil; SW
• Shauna Bannon vs. Daniel Pineda; SW
• Nathaniel Wood vs. Daniel Pineda; FW
• Bobby Green vs. Paddy Pimblett; LW
• Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape; FLW
• Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze; FW
• Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes 2; HW Interim Title Fight
• Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2; WW Title Fight

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