Chris Duncan explains why he’s ‘absolutely ecstatic’ to face Renato Moicano at UFC Vegas 115

Chris Duncan is pumped to be facing Renato Moicano, despite them being teammates.

Duncan and Moicano both train at American Top Team and have trained with each other in the past. Yet, they will headline UFC Vegas 115 on Saturday in a pivotal fight at lightweight. Heading into the fight, Duncan is the betting favorite, but he’s excited to test himself against someone like Moicano, who has fought the who’s who of the sport.

“I feel like I get to express myself a little bit better with the five rounds,” Duncan said at UFC Vegas 115 media day. “He’s obviously a fantastic opponent. Unfortunately, he’s a teammate, but I’m absolutely ecstatic to be stepping across the octagon in front of him.

“What an opponent. The actual caliber of opponents he’s had in the past. Jose Aldo. Islam Makhachev. The resume is insane. I’m not thinking any further into the future. Moicano (on) Saturday. Home (on) Sunday. That’s all I’ve got planned.”

As Duncan said, he knows beating Moicano does a lot for his career, and he has an immense amount of respect for him.

Chris Duncan is preparing for tough fight against Renato Moicano

Given that Duncan has trained with Moicano in the past, he knows how good the Brazilian is.

With that, Chris Duncan is expecting a tough fight on Saturday at UFC Vegas 115, and he knows both are coming for a finish.

“Obviously, we all know the game plan for myself, and we all know the game plan for him,” Duncan said to UFC.com. “He’s gonna try to take me down, smother me; TKO me or submit me. Whereas I’m just gonna try and take his head clean off and capitalize on any mistakes him makes in the grappling.”

The hope for Duncan is to get his hand raised in his first UFC main event and prove he’s a legit contender at lightweight. Duncan enters the bout with a record of 15-2 and is riding a four-fight winning streak.

Do you think Chris Duncan will beat Renato Moicano at UFC Vegas 115? Sound off in the comment section, PENN Nation!