Some fighters chase money, others chase fame, but for Scotland’s Chris Duncan, something much deeper shaped his path to MMA. The UFC lightweight prospect revealed that he began his journey after his mother was “ripped away” from him at a very young age. After earning his UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series 6.2, ‘The Problem’ has cemented himself as one of the promotion’s most promising lightweights.

With a 5-1 record in the UFC and a three-fight winning streak, the Scottish lightweight has already shown he belongs among the division’s elite, taking on dangerous names like Mateusz Rebecki. Though a top-15 ranking still lies ahead, each victory brings him closer to that milestone and to fulfilling the dream his late mother never got to witness. In a heartfelt confession, Chris Duncan recently reflected on his mother’s passing, sharing emotional details.

Chris Duncan recalls the tragedy of losing his mother on fight week

Chris Duncan recently opened up about one of the most painful chapters of his life during an appearance on the Easily Distracted Podcast. The Scottish lightweight revealed that his mother’s death was not the result of illness or natural causes but a tragic act of violence. “My mother was m–d–ed in 2014, April 18th, and that was the day of the weigh-ins to my first ever fight. So, I still went ahead and went with the fight. Won the fight. This is stupid. Like, my mum’s life’s just been ripped away from me. Like, why am I not enjoying my life? So I thought, what do I enjoy? I enjoy fitness, I enjoy the gym and I also enjoy fighting.”

At the start of his career, the UFC star admitted he struggled to process the trauma, battling through the emotional weight of the tragedy while trying to build his life in MMA. In time, though, he found acceptance and a sense of calm within the sport. “Obviously, with everything going on, with my mum being m–d–ed and stuff. If I just buried my head into the sand when it came to MMA, I didn’t think about all the stuff that was going on outside. Out of something super traumatic has been something super rewarding.”

“I’m kind of at peace with what’s happened and, you know, it’s built me into a really f***ing tough ba—rd to deal with because a lot of people would just give up.”

On April 20, 2014, Chris Duncan made his amateur debut against Chrissy Morton, earning a dominant first-round win through ground and pound. That victory marked the start of a promising journey for the Scottish fighter, who went on to build a strong 10-1 record on the regional circuit before turning professional in 2018.

Since then, ‘The Problem’ has turned personal pain into purpose, using the emotional weight of his past as “motivation” to prove his critics wrong and keep pushing forward. His journey in MMA has tested not only his physical ability but also his mental resilience, a quality he continues to display every time he enters the Octagon.

UFC star reflects on mental health issues

Over the years, fans have come to see Chris Duncan as more than just a powerful striker. Trauma, anger, and the resilience that carried him through it all have marked his decade-long journey in MMA. The Scottish lightweight has learned to transform that turbulence into composure and focus every time he steps inside the cage. Now boasting a 14-2 professional record, ‘The Problem’s path has been anything but easy, defined by a constant pursuit of balance between mental clarity and physical endurance.

In a recent conversation with EssentiallySports, Chris Duncan reflected on the crucial role of mindset in MMA. “You know, obviously, I was explaining the… say, your mental health. I hate saying mental health… because a lot of the media talks about it right now. But maybe like, your mental capacity is 90% of what you are. All these cuts I have, you see… was superficial, they heal on their own. But sometimes, people would heal on their own, and they end up going in the battle with mental health, and that’s what I was trying to get across,” Duncan explained.

With Chris Duncan continuing his climb in the lightweight division, can the 32-year-old who’s transformed pain into motivation still rise to the top and challenge the division’s best? Let us know your thoughts below.