Scotland's Chris Duncan Wants to Bring Tartan Shorts to the UFC Octagon

Scottish UFC fighter Chris Duncan is preparing for his main event bout against Renato Moicano. He openly embraces his national heritage and the contrasting roles of a fierce competitor in the octagon and a devoted father at home. Duncan has a unique goal: to one day wear tartan shorts in the UFC.

Chris Duncan on Scottish Pride and Tartan Shorts

Duncan's Scottish roots are central to his fighting identity. He proudly incorporates imagery from his upbringing near Glasgow, recalling the stunning landscapes and traditional symbols like bagpipes, which evoke deep pride and emotion. Representing Scotland in rugby earlier in his career solidified his desire to wear his nation's colors in competition.

He notes the UFC's current rules restrict him from changing his shorts' color unless he changes his registered country, which he refuses to do. Despite this limitation, he envisions a future where he can wear custom tartan shorts in the octagon and hopes UFC President Dana White hears his request. Duncan stated, "I'm Scottish, so I'm going to have to deal with the black, the white or the blue shorts. But if Dana White watches this, I’ve got a little bit of a design for my shorts – I want tartan shorts."

His upcoming match against Renato Moicano is a clash of experience versus rising momentum. Moicano brings a long history of elite lightweight and featherweight fights against top opponents like Rafael dos Anjos and Islam Makhachev, while Duncan is buoyed by his recent main-event opportunity and his relentless, pressure-heavy fighting style. The fight headlines UFC Vegas 115.

The Switch from Father to "Barbarian"

Duncan views his persona in the Octagon as a distinct switch rather than a permanent state. At home, he is a husband and father, but inside the cage, he transforms into what he calls "a barbarian, an animal, a fighter," intentionally shedding all inhibitions. He explains that sparring requires holding back and avoiding knockouts, but fight night allows him to engage with "vicious intent."

"I’m a different person to many different people. I’m a father, I’m a husband," Duncan explains. "How can I differentiate myself from walking into the cage and being a barbarian, an animal, a fighter, and then go home to my kids and my family? It’s the same thing with this fight. I’ve got a switch. I’m numb when it goes in there and I’m also free. When I walk into that Octagon I let the chains off."

He added, "In sparring rounds, especially with MMA gloves, you’re pulling your punches, you’re not hitting hard, you’re not trying to knock people out, whereas when I walk into that Octagon I can let these chains off and throw with vicious intent – and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Duncan's children are beginning to notice his public recognition, signifying his increased visibility. He recounts an instance where he declined a photo request because his priority was caring for his daughter, emphasizing that his children's perception of him as a good person and a present father is more important than any career accolade.

“The only thing I care about is if she thinks I’m a good person," he said. "Whether I’m a good fighter or not, as long as she knows I’m there for her 24/7.”

He also aims to instill in them the trust to reach out to him in difficult situations, prioritizing their safety and well-being over any potential disapproval, valuing their trust above any championship or ranking.

“What I want to instill is that no matter the situation in her life, if she’s out drinking and thinks, ‘I can’t phone my dad, he’ll kill me,’ I would rather her phone me and understand that I’m trustworthy enough to go and pick her up. That’s what I need,” Duncan shared.

As Duncan prepares for his fight, his journey encompasses more than just the immediate outcome. He embodies his role as a proud Scottish representative, a dedicated teammate transitioning into an opponent, and fundamentally, a father, showing that his main-event moment is layered with far more than just results.