Team Member

Coach Brian Duncan is the founder and head coach of Duncan MMA and has been training in martial arts for more than three decades. Over the years he has developed a deep passion not only for martial arts itself, but for teaching and helping others grow through training. His coaching philosophy is built on the belief that every student deserves the same level of care, attention, and opportunity to improve. As he often tells new students, “Every athlete who walks through our doors gets the same attention and commitment that I give my own family.”

Brian holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in SGC Karate & Kickboxing and a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He also earned a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Koei-Kan Karate and a Black Belt in Wing Chun. Earlier in his career he was a multi-time Grand Champion on the Michigan karate circuit, competing successfully across numerous tournaments. He has also helped train both amateur and professional MMA fighters, bringing a well-rounded understanding of striking, grappling, and combat sports competition.

Beyond sport competition, Brian’s background includes years of working security, where he encountered real-world conflict situations. Those experiences shape the practical mindset he brings to teaching. His instruction emphasizes effective technique, awareness, and control—skills that translate to competition, self-defense, and personal development.

Brian and his wife Kailey, co-owner of Duncan MMA, are raising eight children, all of whom train in martial arts. Family is central to the culture of the gym, and Coach Brian takes pride in building a training environment where athletes of all ages feel supported and challenged to improve.

In addition to coaching, Dr. Brian Duncan is a board-certified acupuncturist and operates an acupuncture practice in Kingsport, Tennessee. His background in medicine, nutrition, and human anatomy helps him guide athletes in improving performance, recovering from injuries, and training intelligently over the long term.

Coach Brian also prioritizes athlete safety and education. He is trained in First Aid and CPR, has completed the CDC Heads Up Concussion Awareness Program, and is SafeSport certified through AAU. He has also completed training in Human Trafficking Awareness and Mandatory Reporting, ensuring the academy maintains a safe and responsible environment for all students.

Through decades of experience, Coach Brian’s mission has remained the same: help every student who walks through the doors of Duncan MMA become stronger, more confident, and more capable than when they started.