Scottish prospect Chris Duncan has thanked Dana White after being awarded a ‘life changing’ $50,000 bonus for his win at UFC Paris.
The lightweight contender landed his first stoppage win under the UFC banner in last night’s opening bout. He submitted Bolaji Oki within four minutes in the first round, and had to wait through the rest of the 14-fight card to see if he would be awarded a bonus.
And after just five other finishes, including a controversial doctor’s stoppage in the main event and a women’s fight where the winner had missed weight and was disqualified from bonuses, Duncan was given the extra $50,000. He dedicated his victory to his mother who unexpectedly passed ten years ago.
- Who is Dana White? All you need to know about the CEO and President of the UFC
Chris Duncan lands bizarre first round submission at UFC Paris
To kick off the night at the Accor Arena in Paris fans were treated to an exciting clash of lightweight prospects as Chris Duncan faced Bolaji Oki. The latter was making his sophomore outing in the UFC octagon after beating Timmy Cuamba in his debut this year, while Duncan is a three-fight veteran.
The Scot had just lost for the first time in the UFC when he was submitted by Manuel Torres in February, and needed an explosive performance against his fellow Dana White’s Contender Series alum. And he got just that as he stunned the Belgian on the way in for a takedown attempt.
Once on the ground, Duncan managed to lock in a guillotine choke that at first Oki appeared to escape. But when the Scot went to throw more punches on the ground, it seemed that he had sent his rival to sleep.
However, referee Loic Pora appeared not to notice that he was out, and had to be informed of the severity of the situation by Duncan himself. The fight was then stopped, far later than it likely should have been.
Chris Duncan dedicates UFC Paris win to late mother
Following his victory, Duncan was given the opportunity to speak on the microphone with legendary former middleweight champion Michael Bisping. He took the chance to pay tribute to his late mother, who tragically passed in 2014.
“I started this journey because I lost my mother in 2014,” he explained in an emotional post-fight interview. “That’s why I carry her around here. The last two fights I never got the mic, but mum I missed you here and this is for you! All these fights are for you, I love you! I miss you so much…”
After being told how proud he would have made her by Bisping, he was asked about the fight itself. He paid tribute to his teammates at American Top Team, before jokingly shouting out fellow lightweight Dustin Poirier.
“Don’t be silly, jump the gilly,” Duncan joked, referencing the American’s tendency to push for a guillotine choke in fights despite almost never landing it successfully.
Chris Duncan thanks Dana White for ‘changing family’s life’ with $50,000 bonus
In the immediate aftermath of his victory, Duncan took to social media where he pleaded with UFC boss Dana White to be given a performance bonus for his victory. The company CEO wasn’t at the Accor Arena for the fights, but is still seen as the figurehead for all big decisions.
‘The problem’ tagged White on X, formerly Twitter, after his victory and asked him to “Change my me and family’s life. 50k I trained my a** off for this fight into the lions den again.”
White seemingly answered his calls as the promotion handed out for performance bonuses on the night. He was joined in receiving an extra $50,000 by the villain of the night Bryan Battle as well as Fares Ziam and hometown favourite Morgan Charriere.
After learning of his prize, Duncan sent another message to White that read: “Thank you Dana White, you have changed my family’s life. And thank you to the UFC.”