Losing to “Robocop” last summer in Manchester surely stung and didn’t sit well, but it was another of those critical experiences that help an ascending talent get better, and “CLD” has certainly shown improvements since.

After getting things moving in the right direction again with a steady decision win over Andrey Pulyaev in March, Duncan faced off with Eryk Anders in August and posted a first-round stoppage win over the veteran middleweight, collecting a Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts. Not only was it the kind of highlight reel finish that harkened back to his dominant run through the Cage Warriors circuit, but it also served as an indicator to the British hopeful that all the work he’s been putting in is starting to produce the desired results.

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“It definitely affirms that where I am and where I need to be,” he said. “It affirms I’m in the right position at the right time now, especially going against somebody like Anders. I said it previously, but I’d been watching him (since I was) an amateur, and to be able to step in there and do what I did against him is definitely a big boost for me, and I carry that forward. You carry that even into training, knowing ‘Okay, I’m where I need to be, I’m in the right place’ and I can carry that forward and really lock in.

“I’m just excited now to see what other fights come in the future, and this one that I’ve got now with Tulio is definitely a good step up,” continued Duncan. “He’s a dangerous guy coming off a good streak as well, poses problems, and it gives me a chance to find the solutions, you know?

“I love these situations,” he added with a grin. “Same as with Anders, who was a big step up, and now with Tulio. It keeps that fire alive in training.”