UFC
Oklahoma City could see a potential change of guard at
middleweight.
Former middleweight title challenger Jared
Cannonier is set to face Chris Leroy Duncan at UFC Fight Night
281 on July 18 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. MagicM was first to
report the booking on social media, and it was
later officially confirmed by the UFC. The Las Vegas-based
promotion also recently announced a welterweight clash pitting
Kevin
Holland against Jacobe
Smith.
Gatekeeper vs. Rising Talent
While Cannonier (18-9) has been a perennial contender at
middleweight, he has recently taken up the role of a gatekeeper at
the top of the division. “The Killa Gorilla” has dropped three of
his last four, with the losses coming against elite opponents in
Nassourdine
Imavov, Caio
Borralho and Michael
Page.
Meanwhile, Duncan (14-2) is on a four-fight winning streak that
includes two spinning backfist knockouts. The Englishman suffered
his last loss in 2024 against Gregory
Rodrigues, who lost to Cannonier in his next outing.
MAKE IT LOUD ⚡️
Two big time bouts are coming to #UFCOKC
on July 18! pic.twitter.com/GZugtn5tyB— UFC (@ufc) May
28, 2026