MIXED MARTIAL ARTS: Stevie Ray has already proven he has all the heart required for life in the cage.
Making his name in a remarkable comeback against the much bigger Scott Ward way back at SFC4 in 2011 – where he survived a two-round beating before claiming a stunning third round TKO – the Fife native has steadily improved, often in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversity.
Win after win has led him to the hallowed ground that is BAMMA (British Academy of Mixed Martial Arts) and its national television coverage.
On Saturday night (March 9) at BAMMA12 in Newcastle, he will put his Lonsdale British Lightweight (155lb) title on the line against UFC veteran Curt Warburton, a fight that will be broadcast live on Channel Five's subsidiary, '5star'.
Without doubt the most experienced opponent 22-year-old Ray has ever faced, Warburton is heavily fancied to steal the belt the young Scot won on his BAMMA debut against Dale Hardiman at BAMMA11.
So how does a young upstart prepare to take on a former UFC star? A month training under one of the genuine contenders for the title of greatest MMA fighter of all time is a good place to start.
Ray said: "My management at On Top Fighter Management sent me over to train with Georges St Pierre at Tristar Gym in Montreal.
"I was there for the whole of February and I was sparring with some of the best lightweight fighters in the world.
"I've learned a lot and I'm prepared to go through hell against Warburton."
Georges St Pierre – or GSP as he is commonly known – is the UFC welterweight champion of the world and one of the most dominant Octagon champions ever.
The likeable French Canadian opens his gym to travelling fighters and Ray was only too happy to make the trip.
Southpaw Ray said: "Georges has a UFC title fight a week after mine, against Nick Diaz, so he's in full fight camp.
"He went over some great drills with me, including one that is ideal for a southpaw up against an orthodox stance opponent.
"GSP was very welcoming and helpful. It was an experience I'll keep with me forever."
A product of Fife-based Edge MMA, Ray was always going to have to broaden his horizons if he was to realise his obvious potential.
Within months of switching to Higher Level MMA in Whitburn – an outpost of the Dinky Ninja Fight Team (DNFT) – he had fought for and won the BAMMA title.
It was a move few would have predicted.
Previously outspoken against the dominant DNFT and their array of talented fighters and coaches, many though Ray would be unlikely to be welcomed into the fold.
He was, however, welcomed immediately – with regular beatings in team sparring.
"I sent a message to Higher Level coach James Doolan and asked if I could train there," Ray said.
"He got back and said yes, so I went along to some of the sparring sessions.
"I was welcomed I think, except that the first few sparring sessions were more intense than I was used to.
"I was sparring with guys like Martin Delaney and Graham Turner and thinking, 'these guys could be future opponents for me'.
"But now that I'm part of the DNFT, I won't fight these guys other than in sparring. It's brilliant to have sparring partners as good as these guys.
"And James Doolan is an amazing coach. It has been a great move for me."
A veteran of three UFC bouts, Warburton has an impressive 11-3-0 record including a win over Ross Pearson.
But at 12-3-0 himself, Ray has no fears facing the Englishman in his own backyard.
He said: "Curt is good, but I'm ready and I would love to knock him out in front of his own fans.
"Technically, I don't think there's much between us, so it'll come down to who performs best on the night.
"That will be me."
Also on Saturday's card is Ray's DNFT team-mate James Macalister, who faces Dawid Farycki at bantamweight (135lb). Meanwhile, Edinburgh middleweight (185lb) Craig Robertson takes on Luke Harriman.
'5star' is available on Freeview channel 30, Sky channel 176 and Virgin channel 151. Saturday's broadcast starts at 9pm.
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