A Fife fighter is set to realise his dream after signing a deal to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) next month.
Kirkcaldy’s own Steven Ray will make his UFC debut against Marcin Bandel on April 11 after agreeing a four fight contract with the world’s leading mixed martial arts organisation.
The 25-year-old, whose nickname on the circuit is ‘Braveheart’, has been eyeing a place in the lucrative UFC for a number of years and increased his stock after reclaiming the Cage Warriors world lightweight title last summer with a split decision win over Curt Warburton.
And after defeating Warburton again in his last bout in November, the Scot has now been given the call to take part in one of the UFC’s flagship events in Poland.
Ray has been drafted in at short notice to replace the injured Jason Saggo in the bout against Bandel, but the Fifer is determined to seize his chance to shine.
“Being signed to the UFC has always been my main goal as it’s the biggest and best MMA promotion in the world,” he commented.
“It feels surreal and for the next few days I’ll probably wake up and be in shock.
“Now it’s time to try and rise up 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.”
Two Scots have successfully recorded victories in the UFC octagon in the past, namely Joanne Calderwood and Robert Whiteford, but Ray will have high hopes of becoming the third when he takes on Bandel on April 11.
However, it will be no easy feat against a man who is widely known as a submission expert.
Bandel has won 13 of his 16 pro fights so far, 12 by submission, although he lost his last UFC bout by knockout to Mairbek Taisumov in October.