“I really hurt myself this time by losing weight,” Duncan admitted in a raw post-fight interview. “Not so much the weight itself, which was easy, but my calorie intake and other issues. I had days where I only ate 1,200 calories.”
The Fight: An Elbow Changes Everything
Inside the octagon, Duncan’s resilience was immediately tested. McKinney came out aggressively and rocked the Scot early. However, Duncan weathered the storm and found his moment.
The tide turned with a single, perfectly placed elbow strike. “That elbow changed the fight,” Duncan explained. “It hurt him, and I was able to take over from there.” He took advantage of the moment and secured top position before locking in a tight anaconda choke to force the tap in the first round, securing his fourth straight UFC win.
The real battle: a “bloated” weight cut
The bigger battle, Duncan revealed, took place long before he stepped into the cage. His weight management leading up to the fight was a major test. After a period without competition, his weight had ‘ballooned’, forcing an extreme and unhealthy cut to reach the lightweight limit of 156 pounds.
This process, which involved severe calorie restriction, took a significant physical and mental toll. It’s a stark reminder of the extreme sacrifices fighters make behind the scenes, where victory can sometimes come at the cost of their own well-being.
’30 weeks away from my family’
Aggravating the physical strain was a deeply personal sacrifice. Duncan revealed that he has spent a staggering amount This year 30 weeks away from his family training and fighting.
“The time away from my family is the hardest part,” he admitted. “Those are the real costs.” This emotional toll led him to rule out a quick turnaround for a rumored London card in March. “I need to go home, see my family and be a normal person for a while,” he said, prioritizing recovery and his personal life over an immediate return.
A fighter defined by courage
Despite the hardships, Duncan’s performance proved his formidable mental toughness. “I can suffer, and I can endure things that a lot of people can’t endure,” he said, a trait that defines his fighting style.
For now, Chris Duncan’s focus is on healing – both from the physical strain of weight loss and the emotional weight of a long year on the road. His comeback at UFC 323 will be remembered for its thrilling finish, but the champion’s mettle was forged in the much quieter, tougher fights fought away from the spotlight.
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