Duncan Submits McKinney in UFC 323 Comeback Amid Ref Backlash

In a thrilling yet controversial lightweight bout at UFC 323, Chris Duncan staged a dramatic comeback to submit Terrance McKinney with an anaconda choke at 2:30 of the first round on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The preliminary card matchup pitted two finish-oriented fighters against each other, with McKinney entering on a two-fight winning streak and a perfect record of never going the distance in his UFC appearances. Duncan, riding a three-fight win streak, sought to build on recent submission victories. From the opening seconds, McKinney imposed his aggressive style, landing a powerful knee followed by a flurry of punches and a head kick that rocked Duncan and sent him stumbling. Duncan absorbed the early onslaught, including damaging knees that left him in visible trouble, but refused to go down.

As the round progressed, Duncan rallied with a counter punch that wobbled McKinney, allowing him to close the distance and secure a takedown. On the ground, Duncan unleashed heavy ground-and-pound strikes along the cage, rendering McKinney largely defenseless as he covered up and absorbed unanswered blows. McKinney eventually scrambled to his feet, only to be...