After the Bloodshed: What the Media and Fans Are Saying About Rebecki vs Duncan
UFC Vegas 108’s co-main event between Mateusz Rebecki and Chris Duncan exploded into one of the most brutal and memorable fights of 2025. Three rounds of nonstop violence, swelling faces, and iron wills that ended with Duncan earning a unanimous decision win—and both men walking away with Fight of the Night bonuses. But what came next? That’s the story we’re diving into.
Media Reaction: Pros Praise a War That Ate Them Whole
Coverage poured in within hours:
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MMA Fighting crowned it a potential “Fight of the Year,” with analysts calling it a “bloody, glorious slobberknocker”.
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Cageside Press described it as “bloody good, just plain bloody brawl”.
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MMA News headlined, “A Fight Where You Leave Something In There”—capturing the emotional toll and spectacle.
UFC and fellow fighters on social platforms added to the buzz:
“Two fights of the night?” — Diego Lopes
“Bravo men!! What a WAR!!” — Dustin Poirier
“Absolute war between Duncan and Rebecki” — Henry Cejudo
These reactions cemented the fight’s status as a classic.
What Fans Were Saying: Social Media Exploded
Twitter and X lit up immediately after the final bell:
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@Grabaka_Hitman tweeted: “This is a fight where you leave something in there. Insane durability and heart from both.”
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Fans compared their injuries to battlefield wounds: “Rebecki almost blind, Duncan drenched in blood”.
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Memes showed Rebecki as a stoic warrior, Duncan with dripping cuts, and comments like:
“What a fight! Fans won for sure.” — Miszonowski
“Don’t fade Chris Duncan.” — Chicken King
Community forums raved: “Lightweight is still the most exciting division!” “UFC missed out if they didn’t catch this live.”
Unexpected Moments: When Battles Turned Brutal
Several moments surprised observers and fueled the legend:
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First-round chaos: Rebecki stormed Duncan with a hard hook that cracked a cut over Duncan’s eye. Duncan answered with ruthless elbows that opened a hematoma on Rebecki’s side.
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Body shots in Round 2: Duncan punished Rebecki’s midsection with powerful kicks, rocking him briefly. While Duncan had reach, Rebecki closed distance immediately with a takedown when an opportunity emerged.
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Third-round stamina: Despite swelling and visible damage on both sides, both fighters refused to back down in round three. Duncan pressured, but Rebecki’s forward pressure and power kept the fight close.
That physical ebb and flow created drama few could predict—nonetheless compelling to every fan watching.
Fan Theories and Emotional Echoes
Many viewers linked Duncan’s emotional undercurrent to his backstory. In post-fight media, Duncan opened up about enduring deep childhood trauma—losing his mother on the day of his amateur debut weigh-ins. After UFC Vegas 108, he said: “Pain? That’s nothing.”
That raw emotional honesty struck a chord:
“Showing scars on your face is one thing—showing scars in your heart is another.”
Some fans theorized Rebecki’s stoicism came from past losses—he admitted swelling on both sides almost blinded him, yet he hung on till the final bell.
Surprising Aftermath: What Happened Next
Both fighters were given medical scans post-fight—live—to ensure no serious injuries. UFC extended their fight purses with $50,000 bonuses to both for Fight of the Night awards.
Industry watchers expected Rebecki to quietly rebuild, but instead, fans demanded more aggression. Forums debated whether Duncan’s win would overshadow Rebecki’s toughness. Others rallied:
“This fight alone inserted Rebecki into lightweight ranking discussions.”
MMA insiders immediately speculated on next matchups:
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Duncan vs. Mike Davis
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Ribovics vs. Torres
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Taira vs. Albazi
These matches promised further fireworks.
A Logical Future Storyline: What Could Happen Next
Scenario 1: Rebecki Rebuilds Stronger
Rebecki returns to camp, focuses on wrestling defense, and redoubles submission defense. In six months, he’s booked against a similarly aggressive vet like Renato Moicano. He evolves into a balanced, cautious killer.
Fans search: “Rebecki next fight,” “Rebecki submission defence gone pro.”
Scenario 2: Duncan’s Emotional Rise
Duncan taps into his emotional journey and channels it into performance. His next match is against Mike Davis, winner takes Top 15 spot. Duncan breaks through into rankings, credited with winning by adversity.
MMA headlines: “Street pain to UFC fame: Duncan’s emotional evolution.”
Scenario 3: Rematch on the Horizon
With fans and media buzzing, UFC might book a rematch between Rebecki and Duncan with higher stakes. A gritty rubber match to settle questions—who truly dominates?
Pundits would buzz: “Second time’s the charm—or repeat carnage?”
Why This Fight Generated Such Heat
Here’s what made it so compelling:
| Factor | Why It Worked |
|---|---|
| Violence & symbolism | Both men bleeding, hurting, fighting fearlessly. Raw human narratives. |
| Unexpected shifts | Duncan rocked Rebecki. Rebecki answered with a takedown. The fight changed every round. |
| Emotional resonance | Duncan’s trauma, Rebecki’s drive. Fans empathized, engaged emotionally. |
| Future possibilities | Everyone wanted to know who fights next—and that demand fuels UFC matchmaking. |
Conclusion: This Wasn’t Just a Fight—It Was a Launchpad
Rebecki vs. Duncan didn’t just settle a UFC result—it set the stage. It created stories, fans memories, and expectations. The consensus: both men left everything in the cage, earned respect, and became must-watch.
For Rebecki, the wear and damage didn’t bruise his reputation—it polished his legend. For Duncan, the win and emotional admission didn’t just earn fans—it earned character.
The ripple effect? Now everyone’s checking who’s next. Because after a fight like this, nothing stays the same.
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