UFC® has confirmed that Scottish mixed martial artist, Steven Ray, has signed with the organisation and will make his Octagon® debut against Polish fighter Marcin Bandel, when the UFC heads to Krakow next month.
Ray, a former Cage Warriors world champion, steps in after Jason Saggo, who was originally slated to face Bandel on April 11, was forced to pull out after rupturing his Achilles tendon in training.
With the uncertainty over the future of Cage Warriors and being champion there, Ray recently made a big social media push for a UFC signing backed by hundreds of his fans. In the end, his dream has turned into a reality
"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."
Ray has also long documented the struggle he faced to train hard enough at his desired level...
"I 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" he added.
Although the odds are seemingly stacked against him on short notice, the Scotsman is looking forward to the challenge of rising up the ranks and becoming a household UFC fighter and realises the biggest tests are to come "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."
He added "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!"
Stevie Ray thanks the following for getting him to where he is today
"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!
UFC FIGHT NIGHT: GONZAGA vs. CRO COP 2 is the first UFC event ever to take place in Poland. The stacked fight card will culminate in a five round heavyweight rematch between Brazil’s Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga and Croatia’s Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT: GONZAGA vs. CRO COP 2 will be available on free to air channel, Pick TV, in the UK and is available to view on Sky (152), Freeview (11) Freesat (144) and Virgin Media (123) plus on UPC CH 133 in Ireland.
Tickets to UFC FIGHT NIGHT: GONZAGA vs. CRO COP 2 are available now via www.eventim.pl.
UFC® FIGHT NIGHT: GONZAGA vs. CRO COP 2
April 11 Krakow, Poland
Featherweight Bout
Rocky Lee VS Taylor Lapilus
Lightweight Bout
Stevie Ray VS Marcin Bandel
Women’s Strawweight Bout
Aleksandra Albu VS Izabela Badurek
Heavyweight Bout
Anthony Hamilton VS Daniel Omielanczuk
Welterweight Bout
Mickael Lebout VS Sergio Moraes
Welterweight Bout
Leon Edwards VS Seth Baczynski
Middleweight Bout
Garreth McLellen VS Bartosz Fabinski
Main Card
Women’s Strawweight BoutMaryna Moroz VS Joanne Calderwood
Welterweight Bout
Sheldon Westcott VS Pawel Pawlak
Light Heavyweight Bout
Jan Blachowicz VS Jimi Manuwa
Heavyweight Bout
Mirko Cro Cop VS Gabriel Gonzaga
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