Steven Ray signs 4 fight deal with the UFC
With the UFC hosting it’s first event in Scotland later this year, 2015 was already firmly set as the biggest year in the history of Scottish MMA. Well, the year just got even better.
We are delighted to write that Scotland’s own “Braveheart” Steven Ray (16-5), the Cage Warriors World Lightweight Champion, has signed a 4 fight deal with the UFC, with his debut fight taking place at UFC Poland on April 11th, against Marcin Bandel (13-3).
Here is a statement given to Fight Talk Scotland by Steven;
“Being signed to the UFC has always been my main goal as it’s the biggest and best MMA promotion in the world. It feels surreal and for the next few days I’ll probably wake up and be in shock.
I have always had the belief that I would reach the UFC one day and have had to make many sacrifices along the way such as moving away from family and friends, missing my kids birthday (due to taking fights or fight camps in Canada) and going through financial hardship.
I really couldn’t have done it without the support I’ve had which includes everyone who has ever sponsored me and my current ones (Geo KO Art, Dynabright, Society Bars, Arena Strength & Fitness, Fitness Factor, Badboy, Funkygums, Sports Therapy Scotland, Xbrain). My management On Top Athlete Management, my friends and family, all my coaches and team mates for the time they have invested in me.
A big thank you to Cagewarriors for releasing me from my contract and all the happy memories from being on their events and giving me the opportunities to fight for their prestigious Lightweight world title.
All the fans, a big thank you!
Now it’s time to try and rise up through the rankings and cement my place in the UFC. It’s tough to get to the UFC but much harder to stay there long-term. I’m only 25 and feel that my best years are ahead of me and that I can improve much more.
See you in Poland!”
Once again, a Scot has been forced to take a short notice fight as an injury replacement – Ray is replacing injured Jason Saggo in the bout – to get a UFC deal in place. It’s unfortunate that Scotland’s top fighters are often forced down this road (Rob Whiteford went through the same thing) but it is what it is, and Ray will make the best of it.
Ray’s last bout – a defence of his Cage Warriors lightweight world title, will prove to be his last outside of the UFC for some time.
Credit also to Ray’s management at On Top; despite the “stacked odds” of a short notice bout, there are always dozens of fighters looking to get their UFC break in this way and there will have been great competition for this place on the card against Bandel, and On Top have managed to get it for Ray, an encouraging sign for the future prospects of Scotland producing more UFC fighters.
Ray will also be fighting his opponent in Bandel’s own backyard. However, living up to his Braveheart moniker, Ray has always said he will take any fight anytime to secure his UFC dream. Ray won his last two fights against UFC veteran Curt Warburton in Curt’s home country, so this won’t faze Ray.
What do we know about Bandel? One word – submissions. 12 of Bandel’s 13 pro wins came via submission – all in the first round. Bandel lost his only UFC fight thus far in a 1st round TKO defeat to Mairbek Taisumov but before that was on an incredible 12 1st round submission win streak, with 6 via heel hook.
However, as impressive as that is on paper, those victories were on regional shows in Poland and not against opposition the level of Ray, or the opposition Ray has been fighting. Bandel has never beaten a fighter the level of Ray, coming up short in his only fight thus far against a UFC level fighter. Ray on the other hand was the Cage Warriors World Champion and already holds two victories over a UFC veteran, the aforementioned Curt Warburton.
Below is a highlight reel featuring some of Bandel’s best work
Whilst Ray will most likely look to keep the fight on the feet where he will have a marked edge, he is well rounded and has no reason to enter this bout with any fear and we have every confidence he will become the 3rd Scottish fighter to register a victory, in the hallowed Octagon, joining countrymen Joanne Calderwood and Robert Whiteford.
Ray v Bandel will take place on the Prelims of UFC Poland, which takes place on April 11th and will be available to watch on UFC Fight Pass.
Be sure to follow Steven on Twitter @StevenRayMMA and like his Facebook page by clicking HERE
For all Scottish MMA news and to keep right up to date with all Scottish MMA happenings, be sure to like Fight Talk Scotland on Facebook by clicking HERE