Gregory Rodrigues is confident in his preparation and skills, warning Christian Leroy Duncan that he intends to disappoint the Manchester crowd at UFC 304 by securing a third consecutive victory.
Gregory Rodrigues knows what Christian Leroy Duncan can do in the cage. But he’s ready to disappoint the Manchester crowd at UFC 304.
Rodrigues faces “CLD” on Saturday’s main card. He aims for a third straight victory after knocking out Denis Tiuliulin and Brad Tavares.
He’s been training with former GLORY champion Artem Vakhitov at Kill Cliff FC in Florida. This experience has prepared him for anything Duncan throws his way on the feet.
“God knows everything, and [Vakhitov] came [to Kill Cliff FC] at the right time,” Rodrigues told MMA Fighting. “I trained with him my entire camp, and it was great.”
“It was ideal because Christian also throws a lot of kicks. He has decent striking but doesn’t throw hands that much.”
“His kicks are one of the most dangerous things he does, spinning elbow and spinning kick. I’ll send him back to the circus, brother.”
“I think that’s where he belongs. Go do pirouettes there, not here.”
Rodrigues was initially set to face Antonio Trocoli at UFC Denver. But Trocoli stepped in on short notice against Shara Magomedov in Saudi Arabia instead.
Rodrigues kept training with a promise he’d fight soon.
“Robocop” eventually replaced Robert Bryczek at UFC 304. Now he’s ready to impress.
“To me, he’s way better as an opponent [than Trocoli],” Rodrigues said.
“I’m not fighting a newcomer or someone coming off a loss. He won his last two and fought some people I’ve fought before as well.”
“He’s tough, I recognize that, but I think there are levels in UFC and MMA.”
“I’m on a completely different level.”
“I could be fighting a ranked opponent already, walking my path towards a title shot, but nothing has changed.”
Duncan won seven in a row under the Cage Warriors banner before joining the UFC as middleweight champion.
He won three of his first four fights inside the octagon—all by stoppage—but Rodrigues vows to test his skills in Manchester.
“I believe it’s going to be a great night for me Saturday,” Rodrigues said.
“I work my strategies and plan on fighting three rounds, but I obviously give my all in every round [for the finish].”
“I’ll never lay and pray; I’ll do everything I need to create opportunities to end the fight.”
“I believe this fight can end before the [decision], but I’m there to take this guy out to swim in deep waters.”