Stevie Ray ready to face Alan Patrick in his own back yard at UFC Brasilia
Scottish UFC lightweight looking to continue his undefeated start to life in the UFC with his fourth straight win
SCOTLAND'S Stevie Ray goes behind enemy lines on Saturday night as he makes his return to the Octagon, 11 months to the day since his last appearance.
Ray takes on Brazil's Alan 'Nuguette' Patrick at in a lightweight bout between two prospects with excellent career records.
Since joining the UFC in April last year Kirkaldy-born Ray has quietly strung together an impressive three-fight win streak, with two of them coming by TKO finish.
And against Patrick he knows he faces an unorthodox opponent who has proved tricky to beat in the Octagon so far in his career.
"He’s a tall, rangy fighter, long-limbed, so he’ll have a bit of a reach advantage," said Ray.
"He might fancy his chances standing up with me, but that’ll soon change the second I catch him with a left hook."
That left hand has proved more than useful for the Scot, who claimed lightweight world championship gold under the Cage Warriors banner before being snapped up by the UFC last year.
And Ray, who found himself fighting on enemy territory on his Octagon debut against Marcin Bandel in Krakow in April last year, will call upon that experience once again when he faces Patrick in Brasilia this weekend.
Last Three: Alan Patrick v Stevie Ray
ALAN PATRICK
WON vs Damien Brown (decision)
LOST vs Mairbek Taisumov (TKO R2)
WON vs John Makdessi (decision)
STEVIE RAY
WON vs Mickael Lebout (decision)
WON vs Leonardo Mafra (TKO R1)
WON vs Marcin Bandel (TKO R2)
"I think when you’re fighting someone in their own back yard, there’s more pressure on them," he said.
"I know that from experience. I beat Marcin Bandel in Poland and also experienced what it’s like fighting in front of a home crowd in Scotland."
A glance at Ray's career shows more finished by submission than by KO/TKO, but the Kirkaldy-based fighter has sufficient respect for Patrick's Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt to know he doesn't want to contest the fight on the mat.
"I feel more than prepared for this fight and my takedown defence is sharp," he said.
"I’ll be quick to my feet if he does manage to get the fight to the floor."
And after an 11-month absence from the Octagon Ray is keen to get things moving, showcase his skills once again, then look to squeeze in two fights before the end of 2016.
"I’m not looking past this fight," he said.
"But if I can get a quick knockout and avoid getting injured then I’d definitely like to fight again before the end of the year.
"I’m looking forward to the fight, getting back in the Octagon and showing everyone what I can do.";
Watch Stevie Ray in action against Alan Patrick at UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. Lansberg, live on UFC Fight Pass from 11:30pm BST on Saturday, September 24.
