Eryk Anders vs. Christian Leroy Duncan: UFC Vegas 109 Main Card Middleweight Bout Preview & Prediction

Eryk Anders vs. Christian Leroy Duncan: UFC Vegas 109 Main Card Middleweight Bout Preview & Prediction4 days ago

UFC on ESPN 72: Dolidze vs. Hernandez, set for August 9, 2025, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, features a main card middleweight clash between seasoned UFC veteran Eryk Anders and flashy British striker Christian Leroy Duncan. The matchup pairs Anders’ raw power and pressure with Duncan’s creative and technical stand-up style.

Eryk Anders

Eryk Anders (17–8, 1 NC) has been a staple of the UFC middleweight division since 2017. The former Alabama football player brings a strong athletic base and knockout power, with 10 of his wins coming by KO/TKO. Known for his grit, durability, and physical strength, Anders thrives in close-range exchanges where he can impose his size and pace.

In his last outing, Anders scored a second-round TKO over former champion Chris Weidman, reminding fans that his power remains a fight-ending threat. However, Anders has been inconsistent in recent years, often alternating wins and losses, with many of his defeats coming against technically superior strikers who managed range effectively. On the ground, Anders has solid defensive grappling and good top control when he chooses to wrestle, though his striking remains his primary weapon.

Eryk Anders – Last 5 Fights:

1. Win vs. Chris Weidman – TKO (Punches) – UFC 297, January 18, 2025
2. Win vs. Jamie Pickett – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC on ESPN 58, June 29, 2024
3. Loss vs. Jun Yong Park – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC on ESPN 54, April 13, 2024
4. Loss vs. Marc-Andre Barriault – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC 289, June 10, 2023
5. Win vs. Kyle Daukaus – TKO (Knees & Punches) – UFC on ESPN 42, December 3, 2022

Anders’ path to victory is to pressure forward, cut off the cage, and force Duncan into exchanges where his raw power can make the difference.

Christian Leroy Duncan

Christian Leroy Duncan (11–2) is a former Cage Warriors middleweight champion with a reputation for creativity and fight-ending flair. Of his 11 victories, eight have come by knockout, often via spinning elbows, flying knees, and well-timed counterstrikes. Duncan’s fluid footwork and range management allow him to strike from angles that frustrate opponents, and his confidence on the feet makes him dangerous from start to finish.

In his most recent fight, Duncan earned a unanimous decision win over Andrey Pulyaev, showcasing patience and control against a durable opponent. His two losses in the UFC came via decision to Armen Petrosyan and Gregory Rodrigues, both of whom neutralized his offense by maintaining pressure and mixing in grappling. While Duncan has improved his takedown defense, prolonged clinch battles remain a potential weakness.

Christian Leroy Duncan – Last 5 Fights:

1. Win vs. Andrey Pulyaev – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC 300, April 12, 2025
2. Loss vs. Gregory Rodrigues – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC 297, January 18, 2025
3. Win vs. Denis Tiuliulin – TKO (Punches) – UFC FN, October 14, 2024
4. Loss vs. Armen Petrosyan – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC FN, June 17, 2023
5. Win vs. Duško Todorović – TKO (Injury) – UFC FN, March 18, 2023

Duncan’s best chance to win lies in using his movement and varied striking to keep Anders at bay, forcing the veteran to swing at air and walk into counter shots.

This fight is a classic style clash: Anders’ durability, forward pressure, and knockout power versus Duncan’s finesse, range striking, and creativity. Anders will try to make it ugly, while Duncan will aim to pick him apart from the outside and avoid being cornered.

If Anders can push Duncan back and land clean power shots, he could score another stoppage. However, if Duncan maintains distance and punishes Anders’ entries, the younger fighter’s speed and variety may carry him to a win.

Prediction

Expect Anders to come out aggressively, looking to close the gap early. Duncan’s movement and shot selection should help him avoid the worst of Anders’ offense and gradually take over the fight.

Prediction:
Christian Leroy Duncan def. Eryk Anders via Decision (Unanimous)

A win here would keep Duncan in the conversation as one of the division’s rising striking talents, while Anders will be looking to show he can still hang with younger contenders.