Scotland’s Chris Duncan heads into enemy territory this Saturday, where he’ll take on Manuel Torres in front of a fiery crowd Mexico crowd.
Now 2:0 inside the organisation, Duncan fights internationally for the first time in his UFC career, amongst the infamous altitude of Mexico City. Speaking to Combat Sports U.K’s Taylor Collard, spoke about his approach this camp towards both his opponent and location.
Chris Duncan Plots Massive Knockout at UFC Mexico Over Manuel Torres
At a similar stage to Duncan, Torres is also 2:0 in his UFC career, with three back to back finishes since he started fighting under the company’s umbrella. These finishes have come about through Torres’ erratic fighting style, which has secured him violent knockouts of his last three opponents.
This style is no concern to Duncan however, who believes that he can use his superior movement to negate the whirlwind of mayhem that Torres presents.
“The way he fights is quite wild, and you can’t be wild in this sport. He’s got away with it the last two fights, but I’m too clever for that. I’m too slick, I’m too smooth.”
Known for his staggering punching power, Duncan also has a solid wrestling game in his back pocket. Although expecting a “stand up war” similar to his last fight, he made it clear that he will be prepared to punish Torres with his grappling if the opportunity arises.
“If he over commits, he’ll be put on his back. I can never say that I’m not going to take somebody down. But if he’s overcommitted and the takedown is there – it’s going to happen.”
“I feel like before he even gets to that, I’ll be able to exploit him in every way, shape or form. The guy is very readable. He’s explosive, fast – but I’m very very smooth.”
Preparing for Mexico City’s Elevation
The impact that increased elevation can have on a fighter’s fitness is well known at this point. In perhaps the most well known case, it rendered ‘Cardio’ Cain Velasquez exhausted after the first round against Fabricio Werdum.
Duncan plans to take no chances in this bout. Whilst speaking to us, he showcased his altitude tent which he has slept with throughout his camp. These tents are utilised to replicate a higher altitude with reduced oxygen. In his own words, the tent is a “necessary evil”.
“It helps your blood oxygen level when you’re sleeping. So when I transition over to Mexico City, my body will be used to dealing with that blood flow.”
He told us that he was travelling to Mexico City two weeks early to help acclimate himself to the environment. In the majority of cases, fighters will only travel to the country a week removed from their fight. Simply put again in his own words, he is “fit as f–k” at the moment. Claiming to be one of the fittest fighters in the gym.
End of Year Objectives and Training At American Top Team
‘The Problem’ plans to get a total of three fights in by the end of the year. Something he narrowly missed out on last year due to VISA issues before a scheduled bout against Terrence McKinney. These three fights he hopes will edge him into the rankings of the lightweight division.
“The tailend of the year I think trying to chip into that Top 15, because I know how good I am.”
“Just being among the guys at ATT (American Top Team) has been an eye opener in so many senses. (…) I’m not knocking anybody that I’ve trained with back home, but this has been the best thing that has happened to my career to this day.”
Elaborating on this, he explained that despite many U.K fighters believing that there is no need to come to the U.S to train, the level is not the same. He labelled ATT the “lightweight gym of the UFC”, based on the array of elite lightweights it hosts.
In the training room, Duncan mixes with the likes of Renato Moicano, Dustin Poirier and Arman Tsarukyan amongst countless others. Names that speak volumes to the quality of training partners he is getting.
Chris Duncan Full Exclusive Interview
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