Chris Duncan (fighter)

Chris Duncan
Born (1993-05-10) May 10, 1993
Alloa, Scotland
Other namesThe Problem
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight156 lb (71 kg; 11 st 2 lb)
DivisionLightweight
Reach71.5 in (182 cm)
Fighting out ofAlloa, Scotland
TeamAmerican Top Team
Years active2014-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins15
By knockout7
By submission4
By decision4
Losses2
By knockout1
By submission1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

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

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 mum in mind. What many people don’t know is that my first amateur fight was on the day after my mum 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 mum’s passing on the day of my first MMA fight weigh-ins didn’t deter me.”[6]

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.[7]

Dana White’s Contender Series

On October 21, 2021 Duncan fought Viacheslav Borshchev on Dana White's Contender Series. He lost via KO in the second round.[7]

Following a victory on the regional scene, Duncan then got another shot on Dana White's Contender Series on August 2, 2022. He faced Jonathan Carlos and won via unanimous decision. His performance won him a UFC contract.[8]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Duncan was originally set to face Michal Figlak on March 18, 2023 at UFC 286.[9] Figlak then withdrew from the bout leading to Omar Morales stepping in as the replacement fighter. He won the fight via split decision.[10]

Duncan faced Yanal Ashmouz on July 22, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 224. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[11]

Duncan faced Manuel Torres on February 24, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 237. He lost the fight via second round submission.[12]

Duncan faced Bolaji Oki on September 28, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 243. He won the fight via submission in the first round.[13] His efforts earned him a Performance of the Night award.[14]

Duncan faced Jordan Vucenic on March 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 255. He won the fight via second round submission.[15]

Duncan faced Mateusz Rębecki on August 2, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 71. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[16] This fight earned him a Fight of the Night award.[17]

Duncan faced Terrance McKinney on December 6, 2025 at UFC 323.[18] He won the fight via an anaconda choke submission in the first round.[19]

Duncan is scheduled to face Renato Moicano on April 4, 2026 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 272.[20]

Championships and achievements

Personal life

Duncan is married and has a daughter, and in his spare time he works as a personal trainer.[24]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
17 matches 15 wins 2 losses
By knockout 7 1
By submission 4 1
By decision 4 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 15–2 Terrance McKinney Submission (anaconda choke) UFC 323 December 6, 2025 1 2:30 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 14–2 Mateusz Rębecki Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Taira vs. Park August 2, 2025 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 13–2 Jordan Vucenic Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady March 22, 2025 2 3:42 London, England
Win 12–2 Bolaji Oki Technical submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis September 28, 2024 1 3:44 Paris, France Performance of the Night.
Loss 11–2 Manuel Torres Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2 February 24, 2024 1 1:46 Mexico City, Mexico
Win 11–1 Yanal Ashmouz Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura July 22, 2023 3 5:00 London, England
Win 10–1 Omar Morales Decision (split) UFC 286 March 18, 2023 3 5:00 London, England
Win 9–1 Charlie Campbell KO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 48 August 2, 2022 1 1:43 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Lightweight.
Win 8–1 Jonathan Carlos Decision (unanimous) Ultimate Fight League 8 February 5, 2022 3 5:00 London, England Welterweight debut.
Loss 7–1 Viacheslav Borshchev KO (punch) Dana White's Contender Series 43 October 12, 2021 2 0:28 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–0 Iamik Furtado TKO (punches) Bellator 247 October 1, 2020 2 3:58 Milan, Italy Catchweight (160 lb) bout.
Win 6–0 Mateusz Piskorz TKO (punches) Bellator 240 February 22, 2020 2 2:43 Dublin, Ireland
Win 5–0 Leandro Souza TKO (punches) Ultimate Fight League 3 August 4, 2019 1 4:03 Musselburgh, Scotland Won the inaugural UFL Lightweight Championship.
Win 4–0 Sam Slater TKO (punches) Bellator 217 February 23, 2019 1 3:00 Dublin, Ireland
Win 3–0 Niall Smith TKO (punches) On Top 21 November 17, 2018 1 N/A Linwood, Scotland
Win 2–0 Steve Moore TKO (punches) On Top: Showdown June 2, 2018 3 N/A Linwood, Scotland
Win 1–0 Pietro Colonna Submission (guillotine choke) Unity FC 1 April 7, 2018 2 4:47 Darlington, England Lightweight debut.

[25]

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. ^ a b "Chris Duncan goes from shepherd to MMA prospect after mother's death". BBC Sport. November 29, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  5. ^ "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. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21d8F1sR59M
  7. ^ a b "Chris Duncan ("The Problem") | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  8. ^ Hester, Bryson (August 2, 2022). "Redemption: Second Chances on Dana White's Contender Series — Chris Duncan". Cageside Press. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  9. ^ Patel, Abdul-Ahad (January 11, 2023). "Chris Duncan V Michal Figlak targeted for UFC 286 | MMA UK". Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  10. ^ "Chris Duncan vs. Omar Morales, UFC 286 | MMA Bout". Tapology. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  11. ^ Staff, MMA Junkie. "Chris Duncan def. Yanal Ashmouz at UFC Fight Night 224: Best photos". MMA Junkie. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  12. ^ "Manuel Torres submits Chris Duncan in the 1st round - Stream the Video - Watch ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  13. ^ "UFC Paris: First round submission victory for Chris Duncan". BBC Sport. September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  14. ^ a b Brian Mazique (September 28, 2024). "UFC Fight Night Paris Results: Bonus Winners And Highlights". forbes.com. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  15. ^ Cagle, Brett (March 22, 2025). "UFC London: Chris Duncan Proves to Be a Problem for Jordan Vucenic". Cageside Press. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  16. ^ "Chris Duncan outclasses Rebecki to claim fifth UFC win". BBC Sport. August 3, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  17. ^ a b Chris Taylor (October 26, 2024). "UFC 308 Bonus Report: Ilia Topuria one of five fighters to take home an extra $50k". bjpenn.com. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  18. ^ Harvey Leonard (October 12, 2025). "UFC lightweight with 16 first-round finishes in 17 wins will fight at the final ESPN pay-per-view". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  19. ^ Jay Anderson (December 6, 2025). "UFC 323: Terrance McKinney Starts Hot, But Chris Duncan Comes Away with Submission Win". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  20. ^ Nolan King (February 21, 2026). "UFC books American Top Team stablemates for April main event". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  21. ^ "Monthly Report | August 2025". UFC. Archived from the original on August 26, 2025. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  22. ^ "MMA Junkie's Fight of the Month for August: American Top Team teammates go to war". MMA Junkie. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  23. ^ Meshew, Jed (January 1, 2026). "2025 All-Violence Team: Who were the most memorable fighters in each weight class this year?". MMA Fighting. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  24. ^ "UFC: Chris Duncan on signing for world's biggest MMA organisation". BBC Sport. January 20, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  25. ^ "Chris Duncan". Sherdog. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.