Gregory Rodrigues is properly conscious of what Christian Leroy Duncan is able to pulling off contained in the cage, however warns the Englishman that he’s able to disappoint the Manchester crowd at UFC 304.
Rodrigues faces “CLD” on Saturday’s major card, with a 3rd straight victory in his sights following knockouts of Denis Tiuliulin and Brad Tavares. He has been working with former GLORY champion Artem Vakhitov at Kill Cliff FC in Florida, and the expertise has him ready for something thrown his method on the ft.
“God is aware of every little thing, and [Vakhitov] got here [to Kill Cliff FC] on the proper time,” Rodrigues instructed MMA Preventing. “I skilled with him my complete camp and it was nice. It was supreme as a result of Christian additionally throws a variety of kicks. He has respectable putting, however doesn’t throw palms that a lot.
“His kicks are one of the crucial harmful issues he does, spinning elbow and spinning kick. I’ll ship him again to the circus, brother. I feel that’s the place he belongs. Go do pirouettes there, not right here.”
Rodrigues mentioned he was initially anticipated to face Antonio Trocoli at UFC Denver earlier than his countryman was chosen to step in on simply days’ discover towards Shara Magomedov in Saudi Arabia as an alternative, however Rodrigues continued coaching with a promise that he would struggle quickly.
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“To me, he’s method higher as an opponent [than Trocoli],” Rodrigues mentioned. “I’m not preventing a newcomer, or somebody coming off a loss. He received his final two and fought some individuals I’ve fought earlier than as properly. He’s robust, I acknowledge that, however I feel there are ranges in UFC and MMA. I’m on a totally completely different degree. I may very well be preventing a ranked opponent already, strolling my path in the direction of a title shot, however nothing has modified.”
Duncan received seven in a row beneath the Cage Warriors banner earlier than leaving as middleweight champion to affix the UFC. He has received three of his first 4 fights contained in the octagon, all by stoppage, however Rodrigues vows to place his abilities to the check in Manchester.
“I imagine it’s going to be an awesome night time for me Saturday,” Rodrigues mentioned. “I work my methods and plan on preventing three rounds, however I clearly give my all in each spherical [for the finish]. I’ll by no means lay and pray, I’ll do every little thing I have to create alternatives to finish the struggle. I imagine this struggle can finish earlier than the [decision], however I’m there in take this man out to swim in deep waters.”