UFC Vegas 115 takes place this weekend as one of the lightweight division’s hottest prospects and entertaining brawlers headline the event.
Chris Duncan is set to face the #10 contender and former title challenger Renato Moicano in a five-round bout, which will be the biggest fight in his career.
Scotland has produced multiple recognised MMA fighters, including former light heavyweight and middleweight contender Paul Craig and former women’s flyweight contender Joanne Wood.
This is the 32-year-old’s journey from getting into the UFC to becoming one of the most exciting scrappers in the organisation.
Second Time’s a Charm
In October 2021, Duncan claimed his first opportunity to earn a UFC contract on Season Five of Dana White’s Contender Series.
This was due to the incredible start of his professional MMA career, with seven finishes in his first seven bouts, six by knockout and one by submission.
Three of those occurred in Bellator with TKO victories over Sam Slater, Mateusz Piskorz and Iamik Furtado between 2019 and 2020.
The chance to become a UFC fighter was delayed when the Scotsman faced Viacheslav Borshchev and lost by second-round knockout, his first defeat in MMA.
Four months on, ‘The Problem’ eyed redemption to claim a second chance for the biggest promotion in MMA.
In February 2022, Duncan bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Jonathan Carlos at Ultimate Fight League 3, despite losing his 100% finish rate.
Luckily, it was enough to appear on Season Six of DWCS as the American Top Team fighter went head-to-head with former Bellator fighter Charlie Campbell.
This time, Duncan prevailed in an astonishing first-round comeback to win by knockout and receive the green light from the UFC President to enter the organisation.
Newcomer with a slowish start
On his debut, the Alloa-born mixed martial artist competed at UFC 286 to face Omar Morales, after his original opponent, Michal Figlak, withdrew due to injury.
The short-notice opponent may have slightly put off Duncan, but he was still able to get his first UFC win, edging a split decision triumph.
Five months later, the 32-year-old returned to London and squared off against Yanal Ashmouz, who had also made his debut at UFC 286, making a staggering first impression by knocking out Sam Patterson in the first round.
The Scotsman’s activity and accuracy in his striking over three rounds led him to victory, winning by unanimous decision at the O2 Arena.
In February 2024, Duncan travelled to Mexico, where he would have the challenge of fighting in enemy territory as he went up against Manuel Torres.
The Orthodox fighter would not have a happy ending this time, suffering a first-round submission loss to ‘El Loco’ at UFC Mexico City.
However, all was not lost as Duncan aimed for redemption, going across the English Channel to have a lightweight showdown with Bolaji Oki at UFC Paris.
On the first contest of the French fight night, The Problem won by first-round technical submission with a Guillotine Choke, returning to the win column and receiving his first Performance of the Night bonus.
The next promising Scottish prospect
Little would Duncan know that his triumph in Paris would give him some excellent winning momentum, starting off with a return to the O2 Arena against former Cage Warriors Feather Champion Jordan Vucenic.
The scheduled three-round clash was featured on the main card of UFC London, and Scotland would conquer England with the 32-year-old winning by second-round submission with another Guillotine Choke.
It wouldn’t be too long until the 17-fight gladiator appeared in the Meta APEX for the first time, going toe-to-toe with fellow entertaining fighter Mateusz Rebecki in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 108.
The three-round battle went the distance in one of the craziest contests of 2025 as both men were awarded a Fight of the Night bonus, but Duncan extended his win streak with a unanimous decision victory.
Four months later, Duncan competed in his first PPV event since his debut and faced finishing sensation Terrance McKinney at UFC 323.
The Problem must enjoy brawling in Las Vegas, as he provided another wild show, this time in just one round, with a high-paced fight that ended with a first-round Anaconda Choke submission victory.
After such an incredible performance and increasing his triumphant run to four, it seemed only right that the Scottish warrior would get a shot at the lightweight top 15 next.
Moicano is currently on a two-fight losing streak, which gives the perfect chance for Duncan to take advantage of it and shine once again in Nevada.