Chris Duncan (fighter)

Last updated

Chris Duncan
Born (1993-05-10) May 10, 1993 (age 32)
Alloa, Scotland
Other namesThe Problem
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight156 lb (71 kg; 11 st 2 lb)
Division Featherweight
Reach71.5 in (182 cm)
Fighting out ofAlloa, Scotland
Team American Top Team
Years active2014-
Mixed martial arts record
Total16
Wins14
By knockout7
By submission3
By decision4
Losses2
By knockout1
By submission1

Chris Duncan (born May 10, 1993) is a Scottish mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of the UFC. [1]

Contents

Background

Duncan was born in Alloa, Scotland, United Kingdom on May 10, 1993. [2] He was nicknamed “Podgy” as a kid, due to him being overweight. However after watching MMA on TV when he was young, he was then motivated to change his physical shape. Before becoming a full time fighter Duncan attended agricultural college and worked as a shepherd in the Scottish Highlands. [3] [4]

His mother died when he was preparing for his first amateur fight; specifically, on the day of the weigh-ins for the fight. Despite that, Duncan still fought. Her death had a major impact on his path in MMA, he has cited it as a motivation for starting his career. [5] [4]

“I started this journey with my mom in mind. What many people don’t know is that my first amateur fight was on the day after my mom passed away—she died during the weigh-ins, but I still fought the next day. I’m built for this; nothing will stop me. People often pull out for lesser reasons, but my mom’s passing on the day of my first MMA fight weigh-ins didn’t deter me.” [5]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Duncan began his MMA career in 2014 April of 2014, he compiled an amateur record of 10-1. Duncan then turned pro in 2018 and won his first 7 fights, 6 coming by way of knockout and one via submission, during this period he also won the Ultimate Fight League lightweight championship. [6]

Dana White’s contender series

On October 21, 2021 Duncan fought Viacheslav Borshchev on Dana Whites contender series. He lost via KO in the second round. [6]

Following a victory on the regional scene on February 5, 2022. Duncan then got another shot on Dana Whites contender series on August 2, 2022. He faced Jonathan Carlos and won via unanimous decision. His performance won him a UFC contract. [7]

Ultimate Fight Championship

Duncan was originally set to face Michal Figlak on March 18, 2023 at UFC 286. [8] Figlak then withdrew from the bout leading to Omar Morales stepping in as the replacement fighter. Duncan won the fight via split decision. [9]

Duncan then faced Yanal Ashmouz on July 22, 2023 at UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura. Duncan won the fight via unanimous decision. [10]

Duncan faced Manuel Torres on February 24, 2024 at UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royal 2. Duncan lost the fight via second round submission. [11]

Duncan fought Bolaji Oki on September 28, 2024 at UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint-Denis. Duncan won the fight via submission in the first round, his efforts earned him the Performance of the Night award. [12]

Duncan then faced Jordan Vucenic on March 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady. Duncan won the fight via second round submission. [13]

On August 2, 2025 Duncan faced Mateusz Rębecki in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Taira vs. Park. Duncan won the fight via unanimous decision, the bout also won him his first fight of the night award. [14]

Championships and achievements

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Ultimate Fight League

Personal life

Duncan is married and has a daughter, in his spare time he works as a personal trainer. [15] [16]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
16 matches14 wins2 losses
By knockout71
By submission31
By decision40
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win14-2 Mateusz Rębecki Decision (Unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Taira vs. Park August 2, 202535:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesUFC Fight of the night
Win13-2Jordan VucenicSubmission (Guillotine) UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady March 22, 202523:42 London, United Kingdom
Win12-2Bolaji OkiSubmission (Guillotine) UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis September 28, 202413:44 Paris, FranceUFC performance of the night
Loss11-2 Manuel Torres Submission (Rear Naked) UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2 February 24, 202411:46 Mexico City, Mexico
Win11-1Yanal AshmouzDecision (Unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura July 22, 202335:00 London United Kingdom
Win10-1 Omar Morales Decision (Split) UFC 286 March 18, 202335:00 London, United Kingdom
Win9–1Charile CampbellKO (strikes) Dana White's Contender Series August 2, 202211:43 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesWon UFC contract
Win8–1Jonathan CarlosDecision (Unanimous)UFL 8February 5, 202235:00 United Kingdom
Loss7-1 Viacheslav Borshchev KO (punch) Dana White's Contender Series October 12, 202120:28 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win7–0Iamik FurtadoKO (punches) Bellator 247October 1, 202023:58 Milan, ItalyCatchweight 160Ibs
Win6–0Mateusz PiskorzKO (punches) Bellator 240February 22, 202022:43 Dublin, Ireland
Win5–0Leandro SouzaKO/TKOUltimate Fight LeagueAugust 4, 201914:03 United Kingdom For the UFL Lightweight Championship
Win4–0Sam SlaterKO/TKO Bellator 217February 23, 201913:00 Dublin Ireland
Win3–0Niall SmithKO/TKOOn Top: ShawdowNovember 17, 20181N/A United Kingdom
Win2–0Steve MooreKO (Punches)On Top: ShowdownJune 2, 20183N/A United Kingdom
Win1–0Pietro ColonnaSubmission (Guillotine)Unity Fighting ChampionshipApril 7, 201824:47 United Kingdom lightweight debut.

See also

References

  1. "www.ufc.com chris-duncan".
  2. "ufc.news/fighter/chris-duncan".
  3. "'My nickname was Podgy!': Chris Duncan desperate to be 'some kid's hero' in UFC". The Herald. November 2, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Chris Duncan goes from shepherd to MMA prospect after mother's death". BBC Sport. November 29, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  5. 1 2 "A Mother's Legacy Lives On: Chris Duncan's Emotional UFC Journey "She Was Taken From Me At A Very Young Age"". www.lowkickmma.com. March 25, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Chris Duncan ("The Problem") | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  7. Hester, Bryson (August 2, 2022). "Redemption: Second Chances on Dana White's Contender Series — Chris Duncan". Cageside Press. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  8. Patel, Abdul-Ahad (January 11, 2023). "Chris Duncan V Michal Figlak targeted for UFC 286 | MMA UK" . Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  9. "Chris Duncan vs. Omar Morales, UFC 286 | MMA Bout". Tapology. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  10. Staff, MMA Junkie. "Chris Duncan def. Yanal Ashmouz at UFC Fight Night 224: Best photos". MMA Junkie. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  11. "Manuel Torres submits Chris Duncan in the 1st round - Stream the Video - Watch ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  12. "UFC Paris: First round submission victory for Chris Duncan". BBC Sport. September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  13. Cagle, Brett (March 22, 2025). "UFC London: Chris Duncan Proves to Be a Problem for Jordan Vucenic". Cageside Press. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  14. "Chris Duncan outclasses Rebecki to claim fifth UFC win". BBC Sport. August 3, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  15. "UFC: Chris Duncan on signing for world's biggest MMA organisation". BBC Sport. January 20, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  16. Subhan, Matt Erickson, Abbey. "Chris Duncan scaling back full-time job to focus on MMA after UFC 286". MMA Junkie. Retrieved September 22, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)