Stevie Ray picked up his fifth victory in the UFC when he defeated Joe Lauzon by decision at UFC Fight Night 108.
The fighter feels that he has earned an opportunity to headline at UFC event and thus would like to headline the UFC Fight Night 113 show.
“I think I’m a little under the radar at the moment,” Ray said after the event. “I’m 5-1 in the UFC, and I’ve already co-main-evented a UFC (Fight Night 99). I took it on short notice, against Ross Pearson in Belfast. So if I can co-main a fight in Belfast, then why not main event in Scotland? I’m the most popular fighter in Scotland. Even before the UFC, I’m quite a popular guy. I used to sell out all the local shows, as well, and I know that as soon as I’m on that card, and tickets are on sale, it’s going to sell out straight away.”
Ray may be the self-proclaimed most popular fighter in Scotland, but UFC Fight Night 108 marked his North American MMA debut.
One thing that Ray wants to change for future fights is that he needs to stop throwing all his strikes with maximum power.
“I need to go back and watch it, but I was maybe just throwing everything with too much power,” Ray said. “Maybe I should have picked my shots more, a little bit more tactical. Especially the first, I was just … I had a thought in my head – let’s just put it all on the line here, throw leather and see who’s still standing at the end of it. The game plan was to try and box, let my hands go and not kick so much. I feel like defensive striking is his weakness. He just kind of brings his hands up, leaves his body open. I didn’t really target his body as much as I’d like to. But, again, it’s a learning experience. Win or lose, I’m going to learn from this.”
While Ray has yet to headline a UFC card, the Scottish fighter has headlined several cards for the Cage Warriors promotion and other regional MMA promotions in the UK.
