MIXED MARTIAL ARTS: There are many things about being a UFC fighter that Stevie Ray loves – but he's particularly pleased about being back in the cage for 15 minutes at a time.
Before signing for the world's biggest MMA promotion, Ray was a champion with BAMMA and CageWarriors, which meant his bouts were contested over five rounds of five minutes. Now he's a UFC newcomer, and some way off title contention, he competes over three rounds of five minutes.
And that, Ray says, helps him keep up his preferred all-action style while being able to pace himself for a potential 15-minute battle. He credits Dinky Ninja Fight Team (DNFT) coach James Doolan – as well as the coaches at Tristar gym in Canada where he bases himself for a month-long training camp ahead of fights – for helping curtail his desperation to claim an early finish.
Ray tells Herald Sport: "It's good being back to 15-minute fights rather than 25 which helps me pace myself. I'm definitely maturing as a fighter. I've always been a fighter, since I was 10-years-old. Whether it was having to stick up for myself because I was getting bullied or whatever it was.
"I maybe used to go in the cage and try to finish the guy as soon as possible. I had to realise you have to pace yourself in case you can't put the guy away. James is an amazing coach and he's helped with that, and so have the guys at Tristar."
Despite being confident of lasting 15 minutes in the octagon, Ray has so far not needed to go the distance. He's finished both his UFC opponents, one in the second round and the other inside three minutes of the opening frame.
Another big plus that comes with being a UFC star is, of course, the financial benefits. Ray has splashed out on a new car and home after his performance bonus win over Leonardo Mafra Texeira at UFC Glasgow in July.
He says: "My management, On Top Promotions, have always helped with that, but it was tougher in the past. It wasn't so much trying to get the money for the fight camp, it was more to pay for the stuff at home while I was away. When I'm away training, I'm not at home making money. Being in the UFC definitely makes it 100 times easier."
This weekend, Ray makes his third appearance in the UFC's lightweight division when he faces Mickael Lebout at UFC Fight Night 76 in Dublin on Saturday.
Whatever his opponent brings to the cage, Ray will be ready. He says: "He's in the UFC so he's going to be one of the best fighters in the world. He's different to my last two opponents, because they each had one specific area they were good at. Bandel was a leg lock specialist and Mafra was quite a ferocious striker, but I beat them both at their own game.
"This guy is a bit of a grinder and reminds me a little bit of Curt Warburton (who Ray beat twice in 2014 on CageWarriors cards). I feel like I'm flying under the radar just now, which is good. I've got two wins, two stoppages and now I'm looking to go 3-0.
"Then I'll be looking to step it up, climb the rankings and fight a more established fighter. I want to move up and get to number one, but I'm not looking past Lebout for now."
Also on the card in Dublin this weekend is fellow Scot and DNFT member Rab Whiteford, who faces Darren Elkins.
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