Career Averages - Christian Leroy Duncan
Career Averages - Andrey Pulyaev
Christian Leroy Duncan
Andrey Pulyaev
Christian Leroy Duncan - Fight History
AJ picks CLD, citing his youth, speed, and distance striking advantage over an aging Cannonier. He expects a highlight-reel KO but acknowledges Cannonier's durability and wrestling threat. AJ notes CLD's spinning attacks could be risky but believes his precision will prevail.
AJ picks Leroy Duncan by KO, citing his speed, creativity, and physical prime at 30 vs Cannonier at 42. He believes Duncan can fend off Cannonier's wrestling and land big shots, as Cannonier has been clipped recently. He likes the KO prop at +165 and considers Duncan a smarter pick.
AJ picks Christian Leroy Duncan to knock out the 42-year-old Jared Cannonier. He believes Duncan's speed, range kickboxing, and explosiveness will be too much for the aging Cannonier, who has looked slow recently. He expects Duncan to land clean shots and finish the fight, possibly with elbows or straight punches.
AJ picks Christian Leroy Duncan by knockout, citing his sharp kicks, elbows, and finishing ability against an aging Jared Cannonier who looked slow against MVP. He notes Duncan is on the rise while Cannonier is past his prime, and expects a dominant, violent performance from Duncan.
Angelo picks CLD because he believes Cannonier's chin is gone at 42 and CLD's movement, speed, and creativity will be too much. He notes that Cannonier's recent wins were against faded competition and that CLD has evolved his takedown defense. He is very confident CLD wins but unsure if by finish or decision.
Angelo is very confident in CLD, citing Cannonier's age (42), slowing down, and diminished chin. He believes CLD's speed, youth, and athleticism will overwhelm Cannonier, and he thinks the fight won't be close. He recommends betting now before the odds move.
Big Brady picks Christian Leroy Duncan, believing he is catching Jared Cannonier at the right time due to Cannonier's age (42) and accumulated damage. He notes Cannonier has been hurt in his last five fights and questions his chin. He expects Duncan to win by knockout, as Duncan is a finisher who doesn't let opponents off the hook. He dismisses Cannonier's wrestling as a non-factor.
Big Brady confidently picks Christian Leroy Duncan, citing Cannonier's age (42), accumulated damage, and declining chin. He notes Duncan's durability and finishing ability, predicting a second-round knockout via strikes.
Cody highlights CLD's upward trend, dynamic striking, improving counter grappling, speed, and footwork. He contrasts with Jared Cannonier, now a 42-year-old gatekeeper with knee problems, slowing down, and having given up five knockdowns in his last five fights. He believes CLD's youth and athleticism prevail, likely by KO or decision.
Connor picks Duncan because he believes Cannonier's age and defensive decline make him vulnerable to a young, powerful striker. He notes that Cannonier is now a defensive sieve, squaring up and leading with his chin, and that Duncan has the length, power, and timing to find the perfect shot over multiple rounds. He compares the matchup to Terrence McKinney vs. Bobby Green, where youth and athleticism overwhelmed a crafty veteran. He acknowledges Duncan wastes time and makes poor decisions but thinks he will get enough opportunities to land significant strikes.
Daniel Levi picks Christian Leroy Duncan to knock out Jared Cannonier, citing Duncan's youth, size, athleticism, and improved experience. He respects Cannonier's power but believes at 42, Cannonier's durability has declined, while Duncan has proven durable. He expects Duncan's technical striking and confidence to overcome Cannonier's pressure.
Duncan is a big favorite, but the host sees no value in betting him. Cannonier is a tough veteran with power and cardio, but at 42 years old, he is on the decline. The fight is likely to be a stand-up battle where Duncan's youth and technique should edge him the win. The host passes on betting either fighter, though notes Cannonier is the better value if forced to pick.
Lucrative James picks Christian Leroy Duncan to win by knockout, citing Duncan's athleticism, unorthodox strikes, and Cannonier's age and chin issues. He notes that Cannonier has been hurt in recent fights and Duncan's power and speed should be too much. However, he thinks the odds are too wide and considers betting on Cannonier or the fight not going to decision.
The host sees this as a passing of the torch, with CLD being too fast, strong, and powerful for Cannonier. He expects Duncan to stop early grappling attempts and find a flashy second round KO.
Duncan is younger, faster, and more explosive, with a well-rounded game that has evolved past head-hunting. Cannonier is on the decline, with deteriorating durability and takedown success. Duncan should be able to avoid early takedowns and land a clean shot to finish Cannonier by knockout, continuing the passing of the torch.
Paul thinks the line feels wide and calls Cannonier a 'value boy pick' at plus 295. He acknowledges CLD is good at range but notes Cannonier got a vet lesson from Gregory Rodriguez. However, he admits he'll probably be too cowardly to click it because he likes other underdogs on ACA card.
The MMA Guru picks Christian Leroy Duncan over Jared Cannonier, despite thinking the odds (-370) are too high. He cites Duncan's youth, reach, and dynamic striking, predicting a KO via spinning attack or head kick. He notes Cannonier's age and recent knockdowns as concerns.
Zane picks Cannonier because he believes Duncan lacks the process and consistent work rate to beat a veteran like Cannonier. He compares Duncan unfavorably to Gregory Rodrigues, who beat Duncan by maintaining consistent pressure, and notes that Cannonier beat Rodrigues by matching his pace and finishing him. Zane argues that Duncan wastes too much time and relies on timing a perfect shot, while Cannonier is durable, has good pace, and can make adjustments. He acknowledges Cannonier is older and more hittable but thinks Duncan's style is exactly the kind Cannonier can handle.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Dolidze | 0 | 10 of 34 | 29% | 40 of 94 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 7:07 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 54 of 99 | 54% | 78 of 125 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roman Dolidze | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 3 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:33 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 16 of 29 | 55% | 23 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 | |
| 2 | Roman Dolidze | 0 | 5 of 19 | 26% | 9 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:33 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 20 of 44 | 45% | 28 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:31 | |
| 3 | Roman Dolidze | 0 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 28 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:01 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 18 of 26 | 69% | 27 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Dolidze | 10 of 34 | 29% | 8 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 54 of 99 | 54% | 18 of 52 | 6 of 12 | 30 of 35 | 51 of 92 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roman Dolidze | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 16 of 29 | 55% | 5 of 17 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 9 | 13 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 | |
| 2 | Roman Dolidze | 5 of 19 | 26% | 4 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 20 of 44 | 45% | 6 of 24 | 3 of 5 | 11 of 15 | 20 of 42 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Roman Dolidze | 3 of 9 | 33% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 18 of 26 | 69% | 7 of 11 | 1 of 4 | 10 of 11 | 18 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Christian Leroy Duncan because of his speed, athleticism, and striking advantage. He notes Roman Dolidze is a world champion grappler but doesn't always use his wrestling and has poor fight IQ. He is not betting on this fight because Roman can be dangerous on any given day and CLD is not a genius himself.
Big Brady confidently picks Christian Leroy Duncan, noting that Duncan is seven years younger, much quicker, and has more variety on the feet. He points out that Roman Dolidze looked bad in his last fight against Fluffy Hernandez and doesn't wrestle enough (less than one takedown per 15 minutes). He thinks Duncan will pick apart Dolidze over 15 minutes and win a decision, as Dolidze is tough but unlikely to get the fight to the ground.
Cody agrees, citing Duncan's dynamic striking and Dolidze's susceptibility to speed. He expects a finish or clear decision for Duncan.
Connor picks Duncan but is hesitant, agreeing with Zane that the fight could be ugly. He notes that Duncan has a 'meme fighter' aura and can look like a killer in bursts, but lacks a clear idea of how to win rounds. Connor points out that Dolidze is a big, strong galoot who is happy to hold opponents against the fence. He thinks the odds are too wide and calls it more of a coin flip.
Daniel is high on CLD, believing his speed and athleticism will be too much for Dolidze. He thinks CLD will have a breakout performance and knock Dolidze out, giving him his first real knockout loss. He notes Dolidze's gas tank issues and CLD's improved fight IQ.
Daniel Vreeland picks Christian Leroy Duncan to win by knockout. He highlights Duncan's athleticism, speed, and recent improvements, while noting Dolidze is older and slower. He expects Duncan to land at will and eventually finish Dolidze.
Duncan is a favorable stylistic matchup for the British fighter. Dolidze is old, slow, and flat-footed; Duncan is fast, athletic, and accurate. Duncan should dominate on the feet and win easily. The price is too steep to bet, but Duncan should win comfortably.
James picks Christian Leroy Duncan, believing he is the much better striker and will knock out Roman Dolidze. He notes that Dolidze is not a great wrestler and will struggle to take Duncan down. He thinks Duncan's dynamic strikes and clinch work will be too much.
The host picks Christian Leroy Duncan by knockout but is hesitant due to the wide line. He notes Duncan's improved clinch game and knockout power, but warns that Dolidze's pressure and toughness could cause Duncan to break mentally. He expects Duncan to land big shots and get the KO, but advises caution.
Paul sees Duncan as the younger, faster fighter heading in the right direction, while Dolidze is declining. He expects Duncan to win by KO or decision.
The MMA Guru picks Christian Leroy Duncan to finish Roman Dolidze in round two or three. He praises Duncan's chin, composure, and dynamic striking, noting he took big shots from Gregory Rodrigues. He criticizes Dolidze as a plodding, technical grappler who was outgrappled by Anthony Hernandez. He expects Duncan to win the low kick battle, defend takedowns, and land a brutal combination.
Zane picks Duncan but is hesitant, noting several ways the fight could be terrible. He believes Duncan is a better striker and has 70% takedown defense, which should be enough against Dolidze's poor wrestling. However, he worries that Dolidze's strength and clinch work could lead to a grinding fight. Zane sees Duncan's path to a showcase win but acknowledges Dolidze is a tough, strong fighter who can make it ugly.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 1 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 40 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:10 |
| Marco Tulio | 0 | 27 of 57 | 47% | 42 of 75 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:33 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 13 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
| Marco Tulio | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 15 of 25 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:31 | |
| 2 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 1 | 15 of 28 | 53% | 27 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Marco Tulio | 0 | 19 of 40 | 47% | 27 of 50 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 23 of 46 | 50% | 11 of 27 | 3 of 7 | 9 of 12 | 20 of 43 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Marco Tulio | 27 of 57 | 47% | 13 of 36 | 3 of 7 | 11 of 14 | 22 of 49 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 8 of 18 | 44% | 3 of 8 | 1 of 4 | 4 of 6 | 7 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Marco Tulio | 8 of 17 | 47% | 2 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 6 | 6 of 13 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 15 of 28 | 53% | 8 of 19 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 6 | 13 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Marco Tulio | 19 of 40 | 47% | 11 of 27 | 2 of 5 | 6 of 8 | 16 of 36 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | ODDS : Tulio (-190); Duncan (+160)
Round 1
Knockout rates of 70% or higher for these two middleweights means that referee Mark Smith will need to be ready at a moment’s notice. Of the two men setting foot in the cage next, Duncan (12-2, 5-2 UFC) has earned a higher stoppage rate but has fewer overall wins inside the distance compared to Chute Boxe Diego Lima product Tulio (14-1, 2-0 UFC). Smith steps back after clocking the athletes in, allowing them to tap gloves before engaging.
Duncan has his hands down as he moves to the center of the cage, offering a pair of stomp kicks and a sudden jump knee. Tulio scoots out of the way and drills the lead leg of the Brit several times. Duncan throws back with his own hard calf kick, and he spins with an elbow that splits Tulio’s forehead open. Tulio quickly ties him up to prevent his dynamic offense from coming forth, and he trips Duncan and puts him on his seat. Tulio smothers from on top, imposing his weight as Duncan turns to his knees. Tulio tries to spin on the break, but Duncan bails on it and swings for the bleachers. Tulio throws back hammers, and Duncan crashes forward and blasts him in the face with an overhand right. He spins with a back elbow, and it skims the top of the head as Tulio clinches him.
Tulio squeezes on Duncan against the wire while his fingers are hooked in the chain links, allowing him to sneakily hold Duncan until Duncan explodes to turn him around. Shoulder strikes from Duncan land with audible thuds, and he tries to trip Tulio out like Tulio got him before. Tulio redirects his effort and nearly gets off his own, but he lets it go so he can elbow the Brit in the face. The two split apart, and Duncan runs at the Brazilian with his foot flying. Duncan’s subsequent spinning wheel kick allows Tulio to bowl him over to the mat. Duncan twists before a choke can materialize, and he stands up and lifts Tulio to slam him down with 30 seconds left in the round. Duncan puts himself in side control and then relocates himself to full mount, where he elbows Tulio on the side of the head and rides out back control when Tulio turns until the round wraps.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Round 2
The middleweights touch gloves, and then let go simultaneous low kicks that results in their shins clashing. Duncan circles around, flustering the Brazilian with a varied offense that range from flying kicks to spinning strikes and haymakers that could knock down a building. Tulio settles himself down and pierces the pocket with a right hand that cuts Duncan’s left eye. Tulio walks Duncan down with constant pressure and lays into him, keeping him from getting off much wild offense. Duncan still manages to get going, pawing at his bloodied eye and lashing out with swinging fists until the two result clinched up against the wall. Tulio wants to take the fight down, and Duncan stonewalls him. Tulio stays tightly pressed on his man while letting go with short strikes, and Smith is watching on as they break apart.
Duncan’s immediate offense results in another quick tie-up, and Tulio’s first effort to throw the Brit down fails. They offer alternating jabs, and Duncan spins with a back fist and slips when resetting.
Duncan sees the success of the blow and stutter-steps to delay firing off another spinning back fist. The strike connects square on Tulio’s nose, sending him staggering back. Duncan knows his man is in trouble and walks him down with a fierce, straight left and a monstrous right that completely deprives Tulio of all of his senses. Tulio slumps to the mat, already unconscious, but Smith is still trying to get between them.
This allows Duncan to hammer down one final, devastating right hand while Tulio is off dreaming, to fully punctuate the contest. Tulio lays on his stomach lifelessly for a seemingly long time, until medical professionals tend to him and he revives. The triumphant Duncan has reached rarified air, becoming one of a small number of athletes to record multiple stoppage wins in the Octagon by spinning strikes. He joins names like Dennis Siver, Molly McCann and the upcoming Muslin Salikhov, in having achieved this spin-related feat.
The Official Result
Christian Leroy Duncan def. Marco Tulio R2 3:20 via KO (Spinning Back Fist and Punches)
Angelo picks Marco Tulio, stating he is better everywhere. He believes Marco's takedown defense will be good enough to keep the fight standing, and that Christian Leroy Duncan will resort to takedowns too late after getting touched up. He is surprisingly confident given the line.
Big Brady leans toward Tulio, noting his incredible striking volume and wrestling/grappling upside. He worries about Tulio's hittability and past knockout loss, but thinks Duncan is KO or bust. He predicts Tulio wins comfortably on the scorecards if Duncan doesn't land a knockout.
Cody picks Tulio, citing his high volume and pressure. He thinks Duncan's lack of volume and tendency to clinch will be neutralized, and Tulio will outwork him.
Lucrative James picks Marco Tulio, citing his higher ceiling and more vicious striking. He notes Tulio's offensive output and grappling upside, while criticizing Christian Leroy Duncan's lackluster performances against top competition. He acknowledges Tulio's hand injury but believes he has recovered. He expects Tulio to win, though not dominate.
The host disagrees with the betting public favoring Tulio, believing Duncan is the better striker with good clinch strength. He expects Duncan to wear Tulio down and eventually land a big shot for a knockout.
Paul picks Tulio, noting his volume and pressure. He thinks Duncan's durability is fine but Tulio's pace will be too much, and the fight likely goes over 2.5 rounds.
The Guru picks Marco Tulio over Christian Leroy Duncan. He believes Tulio has more natural pop in his punches and a better flow state, while Duncan relies on flashy techniques. He expects a close fight with Tulio landing the more significant shots and winning a hard-fought decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eryk Anders | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 18 of 24 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 1 | 24 of 43 | 55% | 27 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eryk Anders | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 18 of 24 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 1 | 24 of 43 | 55% | 27 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eryk Anders | 7 of 12 | 58% | 2 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 24 of 43 | 55% | 9 of 26 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 13 | 20 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eryk Anders | 7 of 12 | 58% | 2 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 24 of 43 | 55% | 9 of 26 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 13 | 20 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 3 |
Angelo picks Christian Leroy Duncan despite questioning his fight IQ. He notes Duncan is the better striker with solid takedown defense and cardio, but he can be an idiot with game plans. If Duncan decides to wrestle, Anders could bully him. However, Anders' chin is declining, so Duncan should win if he strikes.
Big Brady is confident in Christian Leroy Duncan, though he notes Duncan sometimes lacks effort. He points out that Anders has been knocked down in his last three fights by lesser strikers like Jamie Pickett and Chris Weidman, indicating a decline. Brady believes if Duncan cares even a little, he will knock out Anders early. He predicts a first-round knockout for Duncan.
Connor picks Duncan, noting that Anders is limited as a strategist and technician, and that Duncan's dynamic striking and range management will be too much. He points out that Anders has only beaten low-level opponents in recent years and is slow-footed, while Duncan is dangerous and annoying to fight. Connor expects Duncan to win and move toward a top 15 matchup.
The host believes Duncan's speed and power will be too much for Anders, who is slowing down and was hurt badly by Weidman in his last fight. He thinks it's just a matter of time before Duncan lands a clean shot and puts Anders down and out.
The MMA Guru picks Christian Leroy Duncan, calling it a potential schooling. He notes Anders' recent wins are over old fighters and that Anders has become too technical. He expects Duncan to piece up Anders and win a dominant decision, possibly with a 10-8 round.
Zane agrees, calling Duncan a meme fighter with flashy skills but noting that Anders is a limited opponent who has struggled against similar fighters. He highlights that Anders has only beaten Kyle Daukaus, Jamie Pickett, and an aged Chris Weidman in recent years, while Duncan's athleticism and tricky style will cause problems. Zane thinks Duncan will win and eventually get exposed against top competition.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 73 of 141 | 51% | 116 of 187 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 5:36 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 18 of 55 | 32% | 36 of 78 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 16 of 34 | 47% | 44 of 62 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:50 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 14 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 | |
| 2 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 28 of 57 | 49% | 31 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 12 of 36 | 33% | 14 of 38 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 3 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 29 of 50 | 58% | 41 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 8 of 18 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 73 of 141 | 51% | 35 of 87 | 17 of 28 | 21 of 26 | 47 of 105 | 26 of 36 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 18 of 55 | 32% | 8 of 43 | 7 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 48 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 16 of 34 | 47% | 6 of 17 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 7 | 8 of 23 | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 4 of 11 | 36% | 1 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 28 of 57 | 49% | 10 of 33 | 5 of 9 | 13 of 15 | 27 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 12 of 36 | 33% | 6 of 28 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 34 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 29 of 50 | 58% | 19 of 37 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 26 | 17 of 24 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 2 of 8 | 25% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Duncan (-625), Pulyaev (+455)
Round 1
Jason Herzog will be the third man in the cage for this middleweight bout. Duncan lands a couple leg kicks early. Pulyaev just misses on a head kick. Duncan applies pressure and then moves in behind a spinning back elbow and a punching combination against the fence. Duncan forces the clinch and throws a few knees in close quarters.Pulyaev is able to reverse and turn his foe into the fence. Pulyaev tries to lift Duncan but is unsuccessful as they remain engaged. Now Duncan reverses position as the clinch battle continues. Duncan creates space to land a right hand but they remain in something of a stalemate. Duncan lands some knees and Herzog checks with Pulyaev to make sure they weren’t low. Pulyaev says he’s good. The grinding fight continues, and it’s Duncan staying busy with knees to the thighs and body. With about 50 seconds to go, Herzog breaks them up. Pulyaev lands a body kick and Dunan moves forward with a jab. Pulyaev slams a kick up high off Duncan’s forearm. They end the round at distance.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Round 2
Duncan lands a kick to the knees and then another up high. Pulyaev answers with a high kick that’s blocked. Duncan pressures with punches, backing Pulyaev up before shooting for the takedown. Now we’re back in the clinch, with Duncan shoving the Russian into the wire. Pulyaev uses a body lock to turn his man around and he lands a solid knee. They seprate and Duncan moves in with a clean right hand .Duncan keeps the pressure on, as Pulyaev is on the defensive. A spinning back kick from Duncan lands on his foe’s leg. Duncan lands a leg kick. A left partially lands for the Englishman. Pulyaev kicks the body, but Duncan answers with a 1-2 and a kick to the body. A spinning back elbow and a left puts Pulyaev on the defensive. Duncan keeps moving forward with a front kick. Pulyaev finds space to land a body kick. Duncan keeps stalking, looking for openings. He lands a couple solid leg kicks as Pulyaev circles on the outside. Duncan misses on a spinning high kick at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Round 3
Duncan gets back to work with a kick heavy attack, some that land, and some that keep his opponent guessing. Pulyaev has a head kick blocked. Duncan grabs the clinch and lands a forceful shoulder strike, pulling his foe’s head down from the plum. They battle for control in the clinch, a recurring theme at various times in this fight. Herzog urges the fighters to keep working and they separate on their own. Pulyev gets a body lock, but Duncan denies the takedown. Pulyaev has double underhooks, but not much is happening here. Pulyaev throws an elbow as they break. Duncan misses a right and Pulyaev forces the clinch again. Duncan reverses and lands a knee against the fence. Duncan whiffs on a spinning elbow and the Russian takes the opportunity to shove his man into the cage. Pulyaev briefly gets a rear body lock, but it’s fleeting, as Duncan takes control of the ongoing clinch battle. Duncan creates space and lands a forceful knee. Moments later, Duncan lands a glancing flying knee before the combatants return to the clinch. Herzog tells them to work. Duncan finds space and lands a few elbows. Late in the round, Duncan hurts his foe near the fence and tees off with punches, elbows and knees. Pulyaev covers up and is able to survive until the end of the fight.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Duncan (30-27 Duncan)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Duncan (30-27 Duncan)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Duncan (30-27 Duncan)
The Official Result
Christian Leroy Duncan def. Andrey Pulyaev via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Christian Leroy Duncan as a massive favorite, stating the odds are spot on. He notes that while Duncan was out-wrestled in his last fight, Pulyaev's striking is limited to an occasional jab, so Duncan won't have to worry about power. He believes Duncan's takedown defense will hold up, and as the fight goes on, Pulyaev's takedowns will become sloppier.
Brady sees Duncan as a big favorite who beats lower-level guys in spectacular fashion. He thinks Pulyaev is in the same category as Duncan's previous wins. Brady predicts a second-round knockout, noting Pulyaev looked good on the contender series but fought a punching bag.
Connor agrees with Zane, calling Pulyaev a failed experiment with very low level competition. He notes Duncan is tough, athletic, and has developing clinch skills. Connor thinks Pulyaev's main instinct to yank his head back will be exploited by Duncan's dynamic striking.
The host believes Duncan is far more athletic, powerful, and quicker on the feet, which will lead to a knockout in the second or third round. He emphasizes Duncan's physical advantages.
The Guru confidently picks Christian Leroy Duncan, believing he is too powerful and dense for Pulyaev, who he describes as frail and manipulatable. He expects Duncan to pressure Pulyaev backwards, push him against the cage, and land knees and elbows. He predicts a TKO in round two, as Pulyaev becomes more hesitant after being pressured early.
Zane picks Duncan confidently, noting Pulyaev's wins are built on being the only tall guy on his regional scene. He thinks Pulyaev has bad defensive reactions and is hittable, while Duncan is athletic, fast, powerful, and aggressive. Zane believes Duncan will cover distance well and find the holes in Pulyaev's game.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 29 of 48 | 60% | 53 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:45 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 45 of 79 | 56% | 78 of 120 | 4 of 12 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 8:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 12 of 21 | 57% | 21 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:01 | |
| 2 | Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 13 of 17 | 76% | 24 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 26 of 43 | 60% | 40 of 58 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 | |
| 3 | Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 20 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 17 of 28 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:40 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory Rodrigues | 29 of 48 | 60% | 13 of 28 | 7 of 10 | 9 of 10 | 23 of 40 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 45 of 79 | 56% | 37 of 69 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 55 | 12 of 18 | 5 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gregory Rodrigues | 9 of 19 | 47% | 3 of 10 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 12 of 21 | 57% | 9 of 16 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | |
| 2 | Gregory Rodrigues | 13 of 17 | 76% | 8 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 10 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 26 of 43 | 60% | 21 of 38 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 27 | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Gregory Rodrigues | 7 of 12 | 58% | 2 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 7 of 15 | 46% | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
Angelo picks Christian Leroy Duncan but with very low confidence, calling it a 51% lean. He cites Duncan's sharp striking and hometown advantage, but acknowledges that Gregory Rodrigues is incredibly durable and dangerous. Angelo warns that Duncan can get too comfortable and showboat, potentially getting caught. He describes this as a very tough fight to pick.
Cody picks Christian Leroy Duncan, citing his superior striking, footwork, and precision. He notes that Gregory Rodrigues has a suspect chin and has been knocked out multiple times when standing. Cody believes Duncan can knock him out if Rodrigues chooses to brawl, but acknowledges that Rodrigues could win by grappling. However, he thinks Rodrigues is likely to engage in a striking battle, which favors Duncan.
Daniel acknowledges Christian Leroy Duncan's athleticism and flashy style but thinks Gregory Rodrigues has more paths to victory: decision, submission, or knockout. He notes Rodrigues' power, durability, and Jiu-Jitsu, while Duncan may be 'kill or bust.' He is hesitant due to Rodrigues' defensive flaws and stiff movement.
Daniel picks Gregory Rodrigues (RoboCop), impressed by his knockout of Brad Tavares and his takedown ability. He questions Duncan's competition (exhausted Claudio Ribeiro, Dennis Tiuliulin) and notes that Duncan struggled against Armen Petrosyan. He trusts Rodrigues' power and wrestling, and notes Rodrigues has four knockouts in his last five fights.
Jeff picks Christian Leroy Duncan, believing he will knock out Rodrigues. He notes that Rodrigues gets hurt in every fight and Duncan has shown power. He cites Duncan's four-inch reach advantage and thinks Duncan's striking will be the difference.
Paul also picks Duncan, noting that the fight ending inside the distance is likely. He points out that Rodrigues' chin has been checked many times and that Duncan has never been finished. Paul believes Duncan will knock out Rodrigues, but he also considers the possibility of Rodrigues using grappling, which could expose Duncan's wrestling. He plans to bet on the fight ending inside the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Gregory Rodrigues, citing his grappling edge and KO power. He notes that Rodrigues has better takedowns and can out-grapple Christian Leroy Duncan, who may struggle with grappling defense. The Guru also believes Rodrigues has more punching power and that Duncan hasn't faced someone with that level of power. He references Duncan's fight against Arman Petrosyan, where he was taken down, and suggests Rodrigues can replicate that success.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 65 of 92 | 70% | 75 of 105 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:15 |
| Cláudio Ribeiro | 0 | 4 of 26 | 15% | 13 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 41 of 61 | 67% | 48 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:59 |
| Cláudio Ribeiro | 0 | 3 of 20 | 15% | 12 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:44 | |
| 2 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 24 of 31 | 77% | 27 of 35 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Cláudio Ribeiro | 0 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 65 of 92 | 70% | 39 of 62 | 8 of 10 | 18 of 20 | 31 of 50 | 12 of 15 | 22 of 27 |
| Cláudio Ribeiro | 4 of 26 | 15% | 1 of 19 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 24 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 41 of 61 | 67% | 16 of 34 | 8 of 9 | 17 of 18 | 29 of 46 | 12 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Cláudio Ribeiro | 3 of 20 | 15% | 1 of 14 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 18 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 24 of 31 | 77% | 23 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 27 |
| Cláudio Ribeiro | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Christian Leroy Duncan as the more technical fighter, noting that both are dangerous strikers but Duncan has better technique. He expects the fight to end inside the distance due to both fighters' recklessness. He mentions that Cláudio Ribeiro is nuts dangerous but Duncan should win.
Big Brady picks Duncan to finish Ribeiro by knockout in the second round. He notes Duncan is much more skilled, with good defensive wrestling and a ton of striking tools. He criticizes Ribeiro's 31% striking defense and poor cardio, and expects Duncan to wear him out and finish him late second round.
Cody picks Duncan, emphasizing Ribeiro's poor durability and lack of defense. He notes that Ribeiro is explosive for one round but fades quickly, and Duncan's precision striking from the outside will be effective. Cody compares Ribeiro to Dennis Tulin, whom Duncan already beat. He expects Duncan to win by knockout in the second or third round.
Duncan is the bigger, stronger fighter and should control the majority of the fight. He can clinch Ribeiro against the cage, wear on him with knees and elbows, and deflate Ribeiro's power and explosiveness. Duncan's maturity was shown in his last fight against Tulan, where he slowed the pace and found the finish in the second round. The over 1.5 rounds at plus money is intriguing, but Duncan should get the knockout in the second round.
Paul picks Duncan, noting his technical striking and ability to fight at range. He contrasts Ribeiro's one-dimensional brawling style and poor cardio. Paul believes Duncan will counter Ribeiro's wild swings and finish him inside the distance, similar to how he handled Dennis Tulin. He acknowledges the small cage could be a factor but favors Duncan's skill.
The MMA Guru believes Duncan has better movement, kickboxing, and strength in the clinch. He notes Ribeiro has no good wins and is coming off a KO loss, while Duncan is coming off a TKO win. He predicts a highlight-reel KO for Duncan.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 1 | 65 of 87 | 74% | 90 of 123 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 4:51 |
| Denis Tiuliulin | 0 | 30 of 71 | 42% | 37 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 13 of 15 | 86% | 38 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 4:37 |
| Denis Tiuliulin | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 12 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 1 | 52 of 72 | 72% | 52 of 72 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Denis Tiuliulin | 0 | 23 of 57 | 40% | 25 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 65 of 87 | 74% | 44 of 65 | 8 of 9 | 13 of 13 | 46 of 65 | 16 of 17 | 3 of 5 |
| Denis Tiuliulin | 30 of 71 | 42% | 19 of 57 | 6 of 8 | 5 of 6 | 26 of 66 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 13 of 15 | 86% | 6 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 8 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Denis Tiuliulin | 7 of 14 | 50% | 4 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 52 of 72 | 72% | 38 of 57 | 5 of 6 | 9 of 9 | 40 of 57 | 9 of 10 | 3 of 5 |
| Denis Tiuliulin | 23 of 57 | 40% | 15 of 46 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 21 of 55 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo leans Christian Leroy Duncan, hoping his loss to Arman Petrosian woke him up to be less flashy and more focused. He notes Duncan is the better wrestler and should take the fight to the ground. He expects a finish and does not see it going the distance.
Big Brady thinks Tiuliulin is not UFC caliber, with no striking defense and the worst ground game in the UFC. He sees Duncan having multiple paths: picking him apart and knocking him out, or taking him down and submitting him. He predicts a first-round knockout, noting Tiuliulin's only chance is landing a big shot.
Cody picks Christian Leroy Duncan confidently, citing his movement, footwork, and counter-striking. He notes that Tiuliulin is a brawler with poor footwork and cardio, coming in on short notice. Duncan can pick him apart and likely get a TKO. Cody sees this as an excellent stylistic matchup for Duncan.
Duncan relies on speed, explosiveness, and early power to finish fights. Tiuliulin has been finished by grapplers but Duncan is a striker. Duncan's power and speed should be too much early, leading to a knockout in the first round. However, Duncan is reliant on finishes and may fade if it goes longer. Tiuliulin could make it closer if he survives the early onslaught.
Paul agrees, noting Tiuliulin's rudimentary style and poor grappling. He believes Duncan can hang out at range and avoid danger. Paul mentions Tiuliulin's history of getting finished and expects Duncan to win by TKO or submission.
The MMA Guru picks Christian Leroy Duncan to win by body kick KO in round two. He notes Tiuliulin is hittable and requires breaking opponents, and is coming off a nasty KO. He believes Duncan is a much better striker with good cardio and movement, and that Tiuliulin taking the fight on short notice makes it a no-brainer.
Andrey Pulyaev - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ruziboev (-225); Pulyaev (+180)
Round 1
Lanky middleweights Ruziboev and Pulyaev engage at a word from referee Marc Goddard. Pulyaev is southpaw, Ruziboev orthodox. Pulyaev is mobile early, circling around the outside as Ruziboev moves more conservatively, cutting off the cage and reaching out with range-finding jabs. Ruziboev grabs a snatch single-leg and dumps Pulyaev to his seat at the base of the fence. Pulyaev stands back up, and Ruziboev drags him to the canvas once more, moving to the Russian’s back and going supine in the middle of the cage with nearly three full minutes to work. Pulyaev guards his neck and tries to sit up, but Ruziboev is ultra-patient, locking up a modified body triangle, boxing Pulyaev’s ears with short punches and looking for a chance to reapply the choke. This is like watching a python swallow a goat. Ruziboev sinks an arm under the chin and squeezes, and Pulyaev is astral traveling within seconds. The man is out cold, eyes wide open, and Goddard steps in for the save. Ruziboev gets up to celebrate, leaving Pulyaev facedown and snoozing. Wow.
The Official Result
Nursulton Ruziboev def. Andrey Pulyaev R1 3:58 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
AJ picks Ruziboev due to his veteran savvy, 47-fight experience, and 20 submission wins. He thinks Pulyaev's resume is thin and that Ruziboev can outwork him, possibly mixing in takedowns. He expects the fight to go over 1.5 rounds and likes Ruziboev by decision or late finish.
AJ DeVito mentions Nursulton Ruziboev by submission at +1000 as a DGEN prop, noting he has many submission wins. He is not overconfident but thinks it's live.
AJ thinks Ruziboev can outgrapple Pulyaev and win a decision or submission. He notes Pulyaev is not physical, skinny, and lacks damaging power, while Ruziboev has a decent ground game and hits harder. AJ expects Ruziboev to bully Pulyaev in the clinch and on the mat.
AJ leans towards Ruziboev by decision, citing his superior MMA grappling, experience (47 pro fights), and ability to control the cage. He expects Ruziboev to outwork Pulyaev over three rounds, mixing in clinch work and takedowns. Pulyaev is durable but less versatile.
Angelo picks Ruziboev, highlighting his wrestling and grappling skills from regional tape. He notes that Ruziboev is a good striker and a very good grappler, and expects him to win by wrestling after getting jabbed a few times. He is surprised the line is tightening.
Angelo is very confident in Nurullo, citing his well-rounded skills and size advantage. He believes Nurullo will mix in takedowns and win on the ground or striking. He notes that Andre Pulyaev is tough but that this matchup is worse for him than his last fight. He thinks -225 is a discount.
Angelo includes Ruziboev in a parlay of confident picks, suggesting he expects him to win. No further analysis is provided in the transcript.
Big Brady picks Andrey Pulyaev to win by decision, though he dislikes the fight. He notes Pulyaev runs away and throws low-volume kicks, but Ruziboev is also low-volume and won't grapple. Brady thinks Pulyaev's 'BS' striking might be enough to win a terrible decision, calling it a potential 'worst fight in UFC history.' He will not bet on it.
Cody passes on this fight, not having strong conviction. He might consider a Ruziboev round one prop at plus 300, but otherwise no play.
Daniel Levi leans towards Nursulton Ruziboev, citing his urgency and willingness to push the pace compared to Andrey Pulyaev, who tends to get on his bike and not do enough. He respects Pulyaev's durability and craftiness but believes Ruziboev will try harder and take the fight to him. Levi expects a competitive fight but trusts Ruziboev's gas pedal more.
Jacob picks Ruziboev by submission, noting his submission arsenal is more dangerous than anything Pulyaev has faced. He thinks Ruziboev has sneaky power and can finish via submission or KO. He likes the submission prop at a good price.
Lucrative James picks Andrey Pulyaev despite it being a risky pick, because he believes Pulyaev's activity, body shots, and improving striking will be key. He notes that Ruziboev has cardio issues and doesn't look good outside round one, and that Pulyaev has faced tough competition recently. He expects Ruziboev to hurt Pulyaev early, but Pulyaev to take over in rounds two and three and win a decision.
Ruziboev is aggressive and will bully Pulyaev, finding a big shot to wobble him and then jumping on a submission. Pulyaev has a striking base but Ruziboev's pressure and reach disadvantage for Pulyaev should allow Ruziboev to control the pace. However, Ruziboev is not a favorite to play at chalk.
The host is not a big fan of Ruziboev but thinks this matchup allows him to land big shots on Pulyaev and mix in his grappling. He predicts a submission victory for the Uzbek native.
Paul picks Pulyaev as a dog, citing his southpaw stance, volume, and reach advantage. He notes Ruziboev's low volume and limited skills, and believes Pulyaev will outwork him. He sees value at plus money.
The Guru leans with Pulyaev via decision, considering him a live underdog. He notes Pulyaev's mobility, southpaw stance, and difficulty to finish, while Ruziboev has not fought in a while and may struggle with Pulyaev's range and kicks. He sees it as a pick'em fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateba Gautier | 2 | 34 of 112 | 30% | 34 of 112 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 59 of 123 | 47% | 59 of 123 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ateba Gautier | 1 | 8 of 42 | 19% | 8 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 19 of 37 | 51% | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ateba Gautier | 1 | 15 of 41 | 36% | 15 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ateba Gautier | 0 | 11 of 29 | 37% | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 16 of 40 | 40% | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateba Gautier | 34 of 112 | 30% | 24 of 98 | 9 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 30 of 103 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 59 of 123 | 47% | 34 of 83 | 19 of 32 | 6 of 8 | 57 of 121 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ateba Gautier | 8 of 42 | 19% | 8 of 39 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 19 of 37 | 51% | 12 of 26 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ateba Gautier | 15 of 41 | 36% | 9 of 35 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 34 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 24 of 46 | 52% | 15 of 33 | 5 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ateba Gautier | 11 of 29 | 37% | 7 of 24 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 16 of 40 | 40% | 7 of 24 | 7 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gautier (-900), Pulyaev (+600)
Round 1
It’s knock out or get knocked out as these prelims keep racing towards the finish line. With a mighty 2025 campaign of three first-round strike stoppages at his back, Gautier (9-1, 3-0 UFC) is aiming to become not only a breakout competitor at the age of 23, but a bona fide contender. To get there, he will have to defeat brick that hits back in the form of Pulyaev (10-3, 1-1 UFC). Ready on standby with the smelling salts is—well, it’s not referee Mark Smith, and instead the medical team, but you get the drill—and the power punchers tap their gloves together before swinging them.
Pulyaev looks for a stomp kick to the knee, and is out of range from a high kick from the other leg. Gautier wings a range-finding right hand, and he misses the mark. He stalks the Russian down and blasts him in the face with a cruise missile of a right hand, knocking Pulyaev clean off his feet. Gautier allows him to come back up to his feet and backs off, so that he can stalk his prey further. Pulyaev gets clipped again as he backpedals, with Gautier’s power so overwhelming that he is questioning his life decisions at the moment. The Russian proceeds to work the body with a kick, and sneaks in a left hand to get Gautier’s attention. Gautier gives him a right hand right back, and Pulyaev rolls with the punches and bounces off the cage wall. Gautier scores twice more with clubbing rights, and Pulyaev gets on his bike and starts jabbing. He reaches the target with a left, and dodges a telegraphed Gautier overhand right.
The Alexander Shlemenko protégé surprises Gautier with distance strikes, fighting through a storm and continuing to target the midsection. Gautier lays into him with a right hand, and Pulyaev strikes back and opens a cut on the corner of the betting favorite’s left eye. Pulyaev sticks his man with a one-two, and he knocks Gautier off-balance when Gautier sells out in attack. Pulyaev thumps the body again and unloads with a heavy left, and Gautier is starting to slow and increasingly look for the knockout blow. Pulyaev scores once and dodges the responses, and he jabs Gautier on the way out. Gautier continues stalking forward, his volume falling off fairly fast, and Pulyaev has been staging a comeback effort with multiple effective body shots. Pulyaev takes a groin shot, tells Smith he wants to keep at it, and they trade hands until the bell. Pulyaev may have stolen the round back after the early adversity, but judges’ scores may vary.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev
Round 2
The middleweights clap hands before getting to business, and Pulyaev starts off with distant kicks. He brings a high kick up that gets blocked, and takes a right hand across the forward bow as he bounces off the fencing. The Russian rips the body with a kick, and he smacks Gautier with a solid left. Gautier is left swinging at air, as he is a fraction of his former speed but still throwing with everything he has. This allows Pulyaev to potshot him with strikes, and his investment of body work has already paid off handsomely. Pulyaev gets in with a left hand and out of the way before Gautier can respond, and he belts his man in the gut again. Gautier steels himself to absorb a left hand so he can hurl back a big right, and Pulyaev wears it well. Body kicks fly from both sides, and Pulyaev doubles up on the midsection work but is caught with an overhand right. The Russian stumbles and falls on his seat, and as if he had springs in his shorts, bounds right back upright no worse for wear.
Gautier continues slowly plodding forward like a Terminator, loading up his right hand but getting nailed with a high kick and a sharp jab before tossing it out. Gautier is not about to stop hurling heavy leather, and he backs Pulyaev up against the wall and sets him down once more. Pulyaev gets back up, and Gautier stalks him down and unloads on him as Pulyaev largely defends the worst of the blows. Gautier takes some time to regenerate his energy resources, and he pitches a high kick that brushes his foe’s face. Pulyaev gets in a left hand, ducks the right, and slips. A Pulyaev head kick goes wide, and his efforts to target the body have slowed. Both men land push kicks to the knee, and Pulyaev slaps Gautier in the face with the instep of his foot. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Round 3
Pulyaev back-hands a glove touch and stays out of range, wrapping his foot upside Gautier’s head to reintroduce himself. Gautier strikes back with a brutal right hand that stings the Russian once more, but Pulyaev is able to shake it off and keep strafing to the right away from the power. Gautier still loads up on his haymakers, and Pulyaev sees them coming a mile away and tosses back a kick. Pulyaev’s distant strikes have bloodied up Gautier’s nose, and he knows Gautier is going to throw everything at him. He does just that, and Pulyaev zips away. The volume drops off a cliff from these two middleweights, largely relegated to single swings at one another as the action slows.
Gautier keeps his guard up to defend a high kick, and he times Pulyaev bending to the side with a shin to the chin. Pulyaev’s chin is made of sterner stuff, as he absorbs what comes at him and manages to tag Gautier right back. When Pulyaev attacks the body, Gautier counters him with a scooping left. As Pulyaev stays to a wide berth, he chips at the heavy swinger and ducks down to land a big left. Gautier’s looping counters hit air and little more, so he elects to work the body with a kick. Pulyaev lines up a jab to nail the torso with another kick, and Gautier wears it well but is slow as molasses. Pulyaev whiffs on a high kick and walks around the cage as time expires, with the two surprising the masses and going to a decision. It’s anyone’s guess how the judges will value the damage and knockdowns in this matchup.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev (29-28 Gautier)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev (29-28 Pulyaev)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev (29-28 Pulyaev)
The Official Result
Ateba Abega Gautier def. Andrey Pulyaev via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Ateba Gautier, calling him a nasty striker with incredible speed and power. He notes Gautier fades but usually finishes early. He acknowledges Andrey Pulyaev is a capable striker with a good jab but believes Gautier will likely win by knockout. He suggests looking for prop bets to find value at minus 800.
Big Brady calls this a 'sanctioned murder,' praising Gautier's manager for feeding him easy opponents. He notes Gautier has spent only about 5-6 minutes in the UFC and has knocked out everyone. He believes Pulyaev will back up and get knocked out in round one, possibly fatally.
Cody is very confident in Ateba Gautier, comparing him to Francis Ngannou in terms of athleticism and power. He believes Gautier's physicality and striking will overwhelm Pulyaev, who has poor grappling and a weak chin. Cody expects a first-round finish and has bets on Gautier by KO and under 1.5 rounds.
Connor sees Gautier as a promising prospect with a great head for MMA, while Pulyaev has terrible retreating defense and collapses inward when backing up. He notes that Gautier is an insistent pressure fighter who manages his range well, stepping in with a one-two and then taking a half-step back to land again. Connor believes Pulyaev's poor footwork and tendency to fold under pressure will be exploited.
Daniel Vreeland picks Ateba Gautier to win. He notes Gautier's physicality, knockout power, and youth at 23. He acknowledges that Pulyaev is a step up in competition and is durable, but believes Gautier's confidence and power will be the difference. Vreeland is curious about the over 1.5 rounds prop but ultimately picks Gautier.
James is extremely confident, calling Gautier an elite striker with amazing ringcraft and patience. He dismisses the narrative that Gautier only wins due to athleticism, emphasizing his technical striking. He predicts a KO win, possibly in the first round.
The host picks Gautier by first-round knockout, citing his power and explosiveness. He notes that Pulyaev is a striker but may struggle with Gautier's power and could try grappling unsuccessfully. He recommends the under 1.5 rounds as a better bet than the moneyline, as Gautier is a heavy favorite.
Paul is also confident in Gautier, calling him a future champion. He notes Gautier's youth, athleticism, and power, and believes Pulyaev's striking-heavy style plays into Gautier's hands. Paul expects a dominant performance and will include Gautier in parlays despite the high price.
The MMA Guru picks Ateba Gautier, calling it a lock due to the massive odds (-1000). He notes Gautier's finishing ability and Pulyaev's hesitancy, but also mentions a potential grappling weakness for Gautier. He predicts a first-round TKO via body shots.
Zane agrees that Gautier is the pick, highlighting that Pulyaev is not a step up from previous opponents and that Gautier's pressure and range management will be too much. He notes that Pulyaev's retreating defense is terrible and that Gautier will keep him trapped and land consistently. Zane also comments on the smart booking for Gautier's development.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 19 of 33 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 1 | 0 | 4:45 |
| Nick Klein | 1 | 23 of 31 | 74% | 30 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 9 of 18 | 50% | 18 of 30 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 3:55 |
| Nick Klein | 0 | 12 of 18 | 66% | 17 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Nick Klein | 1 | 11 of 13 | 84% | 13 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrey Pulyaev | 10 of 21 | 47% | 5 of 13 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 11 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Nick Klein | 23 of 31 | 74% | 15 of 22 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 18 | 9 of 11 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrey Pulyaev | 9 of 18 | 50% | 5 of 12 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 9 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Nick Klein | 12 of 18 | 66% | 7 of 12 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 10 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andrey Pulyaev | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Nick Klein | 11 of 13 | 84% | 8 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pulyaev (-160); Klein (+130)
Round 1
With both of these middleweights coming off of miserable promotional debuts, something’s gotta give in the next 15 minutes or less. Klein (6-2, 0-1 UFC) had his chin checked in February, while Pulyaev (9-3, 0-1 UFC) found himself offensively muted in March. When the dust settles, someone will likely earn their first win in the Octagon, and they will be accompanied by referee Chris Tognoni every step of the way. A clap of hands precedes the action.
Pulyaev takes to the center of the cage but has to dodge two front kicks right out of the gate. Klein crashes forward and takes him to the mat, where he starts bludgeoning the Russian with powerful punches. Pulyaev fights back to his feet, and Klein dramatically mat returns him. When they land, Klein circles around to take Pulyaev’s back, getting both hooks in while fishing for a rear-naked choke. Pulyaev fights the hands to defend the submission, and he pushes his feet off the wall to get some leverage to escape. This allows him to kick off, and Klein is on him like a dog with a bone as he goes after a double. Pulyaev posts off his hands to not go down, but Klein is still behind him trying to wrangle him to the floor. Klein transitions to a single, but the taller fighter staves it off and knees Klein in the belly. Klein responds in kind. Tognoni asks for Klein to do more.
They trade short knees and body shots on the inside, with Klein imposing his weight all the while. The knees from Klein produce a louder sound upon impact, and he tries for a single or two but is stood up each time. Pulyaev desperately escapes with a minute to go, and he lets his hands go and blasts Klein in the face with three crisp punches. Klein hurries to clinch him back up rather than getting smacked in the face repeatedly, looping his leg around Pulyaev’s for a body lock effort. Pulyaev fights it off and knees his man in the jaw, following with a left hand. Klein hits him back and races after him to bowl him over, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Klein
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Klein
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Klein
Round 2
Pulyaev shakes his arms out before getting going, and they bump fists. Pulyaev reintroduces himself with a head kick that shakes Klein’s mullet, and Klein responds with a single-leg entry. The attempt pushes the Russian to the wall, where Klein gladly embraces the grind as he knees his opponent a few times as he searches for a body lock. Pulyaev tries to grab the fence to stay upright, and Tognoni is paying close attention. Pulyaev reverse-somersaults to get out and stands back up, where he grabs hold of a clinch to hammer Klein with knees to the body. One stern knee from Pulyaev slashes open Klein’s right eyebrow. Klein backs off, his body language changing drastically, and
Pulyaev blasts him in the liver with his shin that makes a popping sound. Klein reels from the savage blow, backing up a bit but not fast enough to avoid a one-two down the pipe. The destructive left hand from Pulyaev sends Klein collapsing to the mat, and on the way down, Pulyaev delivers one punctuating soccer kick of questionable legality—replays show it appears to have snuck under the arms to connect to the body. To finish the job, Pulyaev smashes his foe in the face with a left hand, and Klein slumps over as Tognoni rushes in to stop the fight.
That tale of two fights could scarcely be more different, and the end result is what matters: Pulyaev records a knockout in his first UFC win, as he puts Klein on his first losing streak.
The Official Result
Andrey Pulyaev def. Nick Klein R2 1:31 via TKO (Body Kick and Punches)
Connor picks Nick Klein because he has a clear, direct game plan focused on wrestling and pace, while Pulyaev is a passive range fighter who struggles when opponents get inside. However, Connor notes that Klein's striking is underdeveloped and he may struggle to set up takedowns if he can't close distance effectively. He acknowledges the fight is low-level and either fighter could win if they implement their game.
Zane also picks Klein, agreeing that Pulyaev's game is structured to keep him away from a fight, while Klein will pursue and chase. However, Zane worries that if Klein can't get his wrestling going early, he could get picked apart by Pulyaev's range tools. He notes Klein's striking is raw and he may struggle to set up takedowns.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 73 of 141 | 51% | 116 of 187 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 5:36 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 18 of 55 | 32% | 36 of 78 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 16 of 34 | 47% | 44 of 62 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:50 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 14 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 | |
| 2 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 28 of 57 | 49% | 31 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 12 of 36 | 33% | 14 of 38 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 3 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 29 of 50 | 58% | 41 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 8 of 18 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 73 of 141 | 51% | 35 of 87 | 17 of 28 | 21 of 26 | 47 of 105 | 26 of 36 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 18 of 55 | 32% | 8 of 43 | 7 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 48 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 16 of 34 | 47% | 6 of 17 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 7 | 8 of 23 | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 4 of 11 | 36% | 1 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 28 of 57 | 49% | 10 of 33 | 5 of 9 | 13 of 15 | 27 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 12 of 36 | 33% | 6 of 28 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 34 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 29 of 50 | 58% | 19 of 37 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 26 | 17 of 24 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 2 of 8 | 25% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Duncan (-625), Pulyaev (+455)
Round 1
Jason Herzog will be the third man in the cage for this middleweight bout. Duncan lands a couple leg kicks early. Pulyaev just misses on a head kick. Duncan applies pressure and then moves in behind a spinning back elbow and a punching combination against the fence. Duncan forces the clinch and throws a few knees in close quarters.Pulyaev is able to reverse and turn his foe into the fence. Pulyaev tries to lift Duncan but is unsuccessful as they remain engaged. Now Duncan reverses position as the clinch battle continues. Duncan creates space to land a right hand but they remain in something of a stalemate. Duncan lands some knees and Herzog checks with Pulyaev to make sure they weren’t low. Pulyaev says he’s good. The grinding fight continues, and it’s Duncan staying busy with knees to the thighs and body. With about 50 seconds to go, Herzog breaks them up. Pulyaev lands a body kick and Dunan moves forward with a jab. Pulyaev slams a kick up high off Duncan’s forearm. They end the round at distance.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Round 2
Duncan lands a kick to the knees and then another up high. Pulyaev answers with a high kick that’s blocked. Duncan pressures with punches, backing Pulyaev up before shooting for the takedown. Now we’re back in the clinch, with Duncan shoving the Russian into the wire. Pulyaev uses a body lock to turn his man around and he lands a solid knee. They seprate and Duncan moves in with a clean right hand .Duncan keeps the pressure on, as Pulyaev is on the defensive. A spinning back kick from Duncan lands on his foe’s leg. Duncan lands a leg kick. A left partially lands for the Englishman. Pulyaev kicks the body, but Duncan answers with a 1-2 and a kick to the body. A spinning back elbow and a left puts Pulyaev on the defensive. Duncan keeps moving forward with a front kick. Pulyaev finds space to land a body kick. Duncan keeps stalking, looking for openings. He lands a couple solid leg kicks as Pulyaev circles on the outside. Duncan misses on a spinning high kick at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Round 3
Duncan gets back to work with a kick heavy attack, some that land, and some that keep his opponent guessing. Pulyaev has a head kick blocked. Duncan grabs the clinch and lands a forceful shoulder strike, pulling his foe’s head down from the plum. They battle for control in the clinch, a recurring theme at various times in this fight. Herzog urges the fighters to keep working and they separate on their own. Pulyev gets a body lock, but Duncan denies the takedown. Pulyaev has double underhooks, but not much is happening here. Pulyaev throws an elbow as they break. Duncan misses a right and Pulyaev forces the clinch again. Duncan reverses and lands a knee against the fence. Duncan whiffs on a spinning elbow and the Russian takes the opportunity to shove his man into the cage. Pulyaev briefly gets a rear body lock, but it’s fleeting, as Duncan takes control of the ongoing clinch battle. Duncan creates space and lands a forceful knee. Moments later, Duncan lands a glancing flying knee before the combatants return to the clinch. Herzog tells them to work. Duncan finds space and lands a few elbows. Late in the round, Duncan hurts his foe near the fence and tees off with punches, elbows and knees. Pulyaev covers up and is able to survive until the end of the fight.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Duncan (30-27 Duncan)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Duncan (30-27 Duncan)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Duncan (30-27 Duncan)
The Official Result
Christian Leroy Duncan def. Andrey Pulyaev via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Christian Leroy Duncan as a massive favorite, stating the odds are spot on. He notes that while Duncan was out-wrestled in his last fight, Pulyaev's striking is limited to an occasional jab, so Duncan won't have to worry about power. He believes Duncan's takedown defense will hold up, and as the fight goes on, Pulyaev's takedowns will become sloppier.
Brady sees Duncan as a big favorite who beats lower-level guys in spectacular fashion. He thinks Pulyaev is in the same category as Duncan's previous wins. Brady predicts a second-round knockout, noting Pulyaev looked good on the contender series but fought a punching bag.
Connor agrees with Zane, calling Pulyaev a failed experiment with very low level competition. He notes Duncan is tough, athletic, and has developing clinch skills. Connor thinks Pulyaev's main instinct to yank his head back will be exploited by Duncan's dynamic striking.
The host believes Duncan is far more athletic, powerful, and quicker on the feet, which will lead to a knockout in the second or third round. He emphasizes Duncan's physical advantages.
The Guru confidently picks Christian Leroy Duncan, believing he is too powerful and dense for Pulyaev, who he describes as frail and manipulatable. He expects Duncan to pressure Pulyaev backwards, push him against the cage, and land knees and elbows. He predicts a TKO in round two, as Pulyaev becomes more hesitant after being pressured early.
Zane picks Duncan confidently, noting Pulyaev's wins are built on being the only tall guy on his regional scene. He thinks Pulyaev has bad defensive reactions and is hittable, while Duncan is athletic, fast, powerful, and aggressive. Zane believes Duncan will cover distance well and find the holes in Pulyaev's game.
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Christian Leroy Duncan as a massive favorite, stating the odds are spot on. He notes that while Duncan was out-wrestled in his last fight, Pulyaev's striking is limited to an occasional jab, so Duncan won't have to worry about power. He believes Duncan's takedown defense will hold up, and as the fight goes on, Pulyaev's takedowns will become sloppier.
Brady sees Duncan as a big favorite who beats lower-level guys in spectacular fashion. He thinks Pulyaev is in the same category as Duncan's previous wins. Brady predicts a second-round knockout, noting Pulyaev looked good on the contender series but fought a punching bag.
Connor agrees with Zane, calling Pulyaev a failed experiment with very low level competition. He notes Duncan is tough, athletic, and has developing clinch skills. Connor thinks Pulyaev's main instinct to yank his head back will be exploited by Duncan's dynamic striking.
The host believes Duncan is far more athletic, powerful, and quicker on the feet, which will lead to a knockout in the second or third round. He emphasizes Duncan's physical advantages.
The Guru confidently picks Christian Leroy Duncan, believing he is too powerful and dense for Pulyaev, who he describes as frail and manipulatable. He expects Duncan to pressure Pulyaev backwards, push him against the cage, and land knees and elbows. He predicts a TKO in round two, as Pulyaev becomes more hesitant after being pressured early.
Zane picks Duncan confidently, noting Pulyaev's wins are built on being the only tall guy on his regional scene. He thinks Pulyaev has bad defensive reactions and is hittable, while Duncan is athletic, fast, powerful, and aggressive. Zane believes Duncan will cover distance well and find the holes in Pulyaev's game.
Comments (1)
Andrey survived as kinda expected. Chris explodes instead of slowing beating you so you can just frustrate him by moving.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!