Chris Duncan (born May 10, 1993) is a Scottish mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of the UFC.
Background Duncan was born in Alloa, Scotland, United Kingdom on May 10, 1993. 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.
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.
“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.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21d8F1sR59M
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.
Dana White’s Contender Series On October 12, 2021 Duncan fought Viacheslav Borshchev on Dana White's Contender Series. He lost via KO in the second round.
Following a victory on the regional scene, Duncan then got another shot on Dana White's Contender Series on August 2, 2022. He faced Charlie Campbell and won via KO in the first round. His performance won him a UFC contract.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Duncan was originally set to face Michal Figlak on March 18, 2023 at UFC 286. Figlak then withdrew from the bout leading to Omar Morales stepping in as the replacement fighter. He won the fight via split decision.
Duncan faced Yanal Ashmouz on July 22, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 224. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Duncan faced Manuel Torres on February 24, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 237. He lost the fight via first-round submission.
Duncan faced Bolaji Oki on September 28, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 243. He won the fight via submission in the first round. His efforts earned him a Performance of the Night award.
Duncan faced Jordan Vucenic on March 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 255. He won the fight via second round submission.
Duncan faced Mateusz Rębecki on August 2, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 71. He won the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned him a Fight of the Night award.
Duncan faced Terrance McKinney on December 6, 2025 at UFC 323. He won the fight via an anaconda choke submission in the first round.
Duncan faced former UFC Lightweight Championship challenger Renato Moicano on April 4, 2026 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 272. He lost the fight by a face crank submission in the second round.
Duncan is scheduled to face Drew Dober on November 14, 2026 at UFC 334.
Championships and achievements Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) Performance of the Night (One time) 2025 August Fight of the Month Ultimate Fight League UFL Lightweight Champion (One time) MMA Junkie 2025 August Fight of the Month MMA Fighting 2025 Third Team MMA All-Star
Personal life Duncan is married and has a daughter, and in his spare time he works as a personal trainer.
Mixed martial arts record
|Loss |align=center|15–3 |Renato Moicano |Submission (face crank) |UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Duncan | |align=center|2 |align=center|3:14 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|Win |align=center|15–2 |Terrance McKinney |Submission (anaconda choke) |UFC 323 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:30 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|Win |align=center|14–2 |Mateusz Rębecki |Decision (unanimous) |UFC on ESPN: Taira vs. Park | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|Win |align=center|13–2 |Jordan Vucenic |Submission (guillotine choke) |UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady | |align=center|2 |align=center|3:42 |London, England
|Win |align=center|12–2 |Bolaji Oki |Technical submission (guillotine choke) |UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:44 |Paris, France
|Loss |align=center|11–2 |Manuel Torres |Submission (rear-naked choke) |UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:46 |Mexico City, Mexico
|Win |align=center|11–1 |Yanal Ashmouz |Decision (unanimous) |UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |London, England
|Win |align=center|10–1 |Omar Morales |Decision (split) |UFC 286 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |London, England
|Win |align=center|9–1 |Charlie Campbell |KO (punches) |Dana White's Contender Series 48 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:43 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|Win |align=center|8–1 |Jonathan Carlos |Decision (unanimous) |Ultimate Fight League 8 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |London, England
|Loss |align=center|7–1 |Viacheslav Borshchev |KO (punch) |Dana White's Contender Series 43 | |align=center|2 |align=center|0:28 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|Win |align=center|7–0 |Iamik Furtado |TKO (punches) |Bellator 247 | |align=center|2 |align=center|3:58 |Milan, Italy
|Win |align=center|6–0 |Mateusz Piskorz |TKO (punches) |Bellator 240 | |align=center|2 |align=center|2:43 |Dublin, Ireland
|Win |align=center|5–0 |Leandro Souza |TKO (punches) |Ultimate Fight League 3 | |align=center|1 |align=center|4:03 |Musselburgh, Scotland
|Win |align=center|4–0 |Sam Slater |TKO (punches) |Bellator 217 | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:00 |Dublin, Ireland
|Win |align=center|3–0 |Niall Smith |TKO (punches) |On Top 21 | |align=center|1 |align=center|N/A |Linwood, Scotland
|Win |align=center|2–0 |Steve Moore |TKO (punches) |On Top: Showdown | |align=center|3 |align=center|N/A |Linwood, Scotland
|Win |align=center|1–0 |Pietro Colonna |Submission (guillotine choke) |Unity FC 1 | |align=center|2 |align=center|4:47 |Darlington, England
See also List of current UFC fighters List of Dana White's Contender Series alumni List of male mixed martial artists
References