From the Scottish regional circuit to the United Kingdom’s biggest event in years, we revisit the journey that sees Chris Duncan make his debut at UFC 286.
‘The Problem’ has quickly become one of the UK’s most exciting fighters to watch. Leaving it all in the cage every time he competes, his style of fighting is fan-friendly and ferocious. Amassing an impressive 9-1 record, with eight finishes, seven of which come via KO.
Chris Duncan makes his debut this weekend at UFC 286, and here’s his journey from the bottom to the top.
Amateur Scene
20-year-old Duncan would make his first amateur appearance on the Scottish regional scene at SFC 8. Winning his debut in just 56 seconds at welterweight. He suffered his first setback in his second outing where he lost a unanimous decision.
This loss lit a fire under the Scot who’d go on a winning run. Three wins in a row saw him win the Forza Fighting welterweight title in just his fifth fight. Duncan would pick up one more victory at 170 before making his move to lightweight.
In his first outing at 155 lbs, Duncan would win his second amateur title as he became Headhunters FC lightweight champion. He’d fight twice more as a novice, adding the OTP lightweight gold to his growing collection.
As an amateur, Chris would go 8-1 in three years from 2014 to 2017. Of his eight wins, he ended six of them inside the distance, putting together five KO/TKOs and a lone submission.
Turning Pro
One month before his 25th Birthday Duncan would make his professional debut at UNITY Fighting Championships. Winning the fight via guillotine choke late in the second.
After a successful pro debut, Duncan would return to the promotion where he won amateur gold, OTP. Making a pair of performances in the Linwood-based promotion, he’d win both via KO.
Bellator MMA
With an impressive amateur resume and a lightning-fast start to his professional career. It wasn’t long before Duncan caught the eye of one of the biggest promotions on the planet as Bellator MMA came calling.
At Bellator 217 in Dublin, Ireland, Duncan would make the most of the spotlight and deliver a stunning KO in the first round. After a brief stop in his native Scotland at Ultimate Fight League 3, where he picked up yet another KO win. Bellator would come calling once more.
Competing in the red gloves twice more he’d compete at Bellator 240 and 247 respectively. Winning both of these bouts in the second round, with his now-trademark heavy hands.
Nightmare Dana White’s Contender Series Debut
Now 7-0 with all seven wins coming via stoppage, Duncan was earning a cult following. Becoming a name to keep an eye on it was his in-cage performances that saw ‘The Problem’ earn an opportunity to compete on Dana White’s Contender Series.
After his scheduled bout with Manuel Gaxhja fell through due to a botched weight cut on Gaxhja’s side, the bout was scrapped. In an exclusive interview with Combat Sports UK Duncan would detail the circumstances surrounding his DWCS fight.
With no fight on the horizon and a six-month-old baby at home, Duncan was preparing to go back to Scotland. Regaining the weight he had previously lost, Duncan would get a call saying they had found him another fight in just ten days’ time.
With a ‘ten-day’ trip that lasted almost a month, and a nightmare build-up where Chris needed to cut weight three times in three weeks. He’d lose his fight on DWCS against Viacheslav Borshchev in the second round. Dana White and Sean Shelby would both thank Chris for his efforts over the three weeks.
Chris Duncan Delivers on His Second Chance
With the trials and tribulations of his last performance still fresh in his mind. Chris would go away and pick up another win at UFL 8, defeating Jonathan Carlos via unanimous decision. This was all it took for Duncan to get his second DWCS opportunity.
With the disappointment of his first attempt still lingering. Duncan would deliver one of 2022’s most entertaining fights to defeat Charlie Campbell. Coming back from what many beloved to be the jaws of defeat. Duncan would deliver a devastating knockout to secure the win.
Making himself undeniable the second time around, Chris had impressed more than enough to earn the contract.
UFC 286 Opponent Change
Securing his place on the UFC roster in August of 2022. It would be January when Duncan’s debut fight would be announced. Taking on the always difficult Cage Warriors alum Mike Figlak the bout was set for London. In the typical bad luck that had marred Duncan’s UFC time so far, just days after the announcement, Figlak would withdraw due to injury.
Still wanting to remain on UFC 286, Chris Duncan would find a new opponent in the form of Omar Morales. Morales also earned his UFC shot via DWCS. The Venezuelan has an overall record of 11-3 and sits at 3-3 inside the UFC. The fight is expected to take place on the UFC 286 prelims.
Are you excited to see Chris Duncan compete at UFC 286?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
