Scots martial artist Chris Duncan signs for UFC after spectacular comeback knockout victory

A Tullibody martial artist has fulfilled his life ambition by penning a deal with the UFC – after sealing a memorable comeback victory in Las Vegas this week.

Chris Duncan, originally from Strathyre, seized his opportunity in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The MMA prospect flew to the UFC Apex Centre for his fight with muchAmerican fighter Charlie Campbell on the Dana White Contender Series – a series in which hopeful fighters compete to try and secure a contract with the world’s top MMA promotion.

The 29-year-old, who fights out of the Evo Gym, in Colquhoun Street, Stirling, survived an early setback in the bout to knock Campbell out in impressive fashion.

Duncan, nicknamed 'The Problem', weathered an early storm, sustaining a number of hard punches and appearing to be badly hurt in the opening minutes of the first round.

However, the scrapper refused to accept defeat and fired back with a straight right-hand to the American’s chin, knocking him unconscious.

The spectacular victory was enough for the UFC president, Dana White, to hand Duncan the coveted UFC contract for the heroic performance.

It was the lightweight’s second appearance on the Dana White Contender Series. He was previously defeated in October last year when he was knocked out in the second round.

However, Duncan’s originally scheduled opponent failed to make the weight and he later accepted a short notice fight against Viacheslav Borshchev where he suffered the loss.

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The circumstances of his first fight prompted UFC bosses to give Duncan a second opportunity.

Following this week’s bout, a jubilant Duncan spoke at a press gathering where he said: “I made a bit of a mess of it, but it’s not