SCOPE READY TO TAME THE PITBULL
Sunderland MMA star Ryan Scope believes a victory over Patrick ‘Pitbull’ Freire this weekend should see him secure a title shot.
The two are set to headline Bellator: Newcastle, in what will be a packed out Utilita Arena on Saturday to mark the start of Bellator’s new European series and will see some of the biggest names in UK MMA fight in the North East.
Scope had he said he’d wanted big names and tough fights when he first signed for Bellator and is more than happy to be matched with one of the biggest names in the Bellator Lightweight division.
He said: “I’ve definitely got what I wished for. I’m happy, I took the offer straight away, it’s what I’ve been wanting so finally I get to prove myself to Bellator and to everyone else.”
Pitbull has had a flurry of high profile victories of late- most notably, securing a split decision victory over former UFC Lightweight champion, Benson Henderson. Scope knows the magnitude of the challenge ahead but believes he can come away with the win.
“I can see me getting him frustrated,” he added. “I think I’m faster than him on the feet so I’m going to keep moving and not make any stupid mistakes and not get caught by one of those big punches. I think I’ll be able to do a job, no problem.
“I haven’t seen much of his ground game but I know he’s a black belt so maybe he is better there but he doesn’t utilise it a lot from what I’ve seen. He’s knocking most people out at the minute and I think I’m a technically better striker than he is.
“I think I’ll get a second round stoppage.”
The 26-year-old is keen to get straight back into the cage after the Pitbull clash and knows that a big win could move him into contention for a title challenge.
“I’d like to fight pretty much as soon as I could after (Pitbull) so whatever Bellator want,” added Scope. “He’s beating everyone in the division so it’s whoever Bellator chose to give me, that’s that.
“I see him probably next in line for the title so if I beat him, there’s no reason I shouldn’t be.
“He’s beefing with (Michael) Chandler on the internet so if I beat him, it puts me in line. But if Bellator want to give me another fight first, I’d be happy with that as well. I want to prove myself and I want to earn it.”
This will be the second time Scope has headlined at the Utilita Arena (formerly the Metro Radio Arena) and isn’t feeling the pressure as much second time round.
He finds himself in the unfamiliar position of being the underdog going into the bout but it is something the Sunderland man believes he can use to his advantage.
“I don’t know why but this time I feel a lot more relaxed, I feel there is less pressure on my shoulders,” he said.
“Maybe it’s because I’m a massive underdog but I’m very relaxed because I’m very confident. I think I’ll do well when I’m the underdog as well.
“I know for a fact I’ve got a chance to beat him comfortably. Obviously on paper, if I was looking at it from an outside point of view, I would say I was the underdog. You can’t deny that he’s beat a lot of high calibre people.”
Scope isn’t the only North East talent on the card and is looking forward to seeing fellow North East fighters securing victories throughout the night.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Cal (Ellenor) from my gym, Tony Mustard is fighting, James Mulheron is fighting – just all the North East lads. I’m still looking forward to seeing Judo Jimmy (Wallhead) fight. It should be a good night of fights!”
Tickets to Bellator Newcastle: Pitbull vs. Scopeare now on sale to the general public and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.co.uk and Bellator.com, as well as from the Utilita Arena box office.