With the UFC Lightweight division under the spotlight this weekend, gym partners Renato Moicano and Chris Duncan will spearhead the main event at UFC Vegas 115 at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.
Main card set to commence at 2:00am (CAT, GMT+2).
Moicano and Duncan currently fight out of the world-renowned American Top Team gym in Florida, a facility home to numerous fighters from the UFC, PFL and Bellator promotions.
As for Moicano (20-7-1), the 36-year-old Brazilian comes into the fight following high-profile losses to Beneil Dariush and Islam Makhachev. Before his last couple of bouts, Moicano went on a four-fight winning streak as he saw off Brad Riddell, Drew Dober, Jalin Turner and Benoit Saint Denis, respectively.
Duncan (15-2-0), on the other hand, is on a four-fight win streak that included submission victories over Bolaji Oki, Jordan Vucenic and Terrance McKinney.
The 32-year-old Scotsman last tasted defeat on 24 February 2024, as he fell via a rear-naked choke to Manuel Torres at UFC Fight Night: Moreno v Royval 2.
Speaking ahead of the fight, Moicano expressed that it will be business as usual despite sharing the same gym with Duncan.
“The gym, I’m not going to say was divided, but some guys that helped him were not training with me, and some guys that helped me weren’t helping him,” Moicano said.
“At the end of the day, we’re fighting each other. How can you train with both guys? But at the same time, some guys were training with both Chris and me.
“So, it was kind of confusing. This is a sport. I don’t hate him. I have nothing against him — it’s just a sport.”
The main card will also feature the unbeaten Abdulrakhman Yakhyaev, who will face Brendson Ribeiro in the Light Heavyweight division.
In the co-main event, the tough Virna Jandiroba will square off against Tabatha Ricci in the Women’s strawweight division.
UFC FN: Moicano v Duncan Main Card
Renato Moicano v Chris Duncan (Main event – Lightweight)
Virna Jandiroba v Tabatha Ricci (Co-main – Women Strawweight)
Abdulrakhman Yakhyaev v Brendson Ribeiro (Light Heavyweight)
Ethyn Ewing v Rafael Estevam (Bantamweight)
Tommy McMillen v Manzolo Zecchini (Featherweight)
Jose Delano v Robert Ruchala (Featherweight)