Ryan Scope Says He Will 'Smash Through' Lew Long At Made4TheCage 23
Ryan Scope Says He Will 'Smash Through' Lew Long At Made4TheCage 23
British fighter Ryan Scope takes on Lew Long this Saturday night at Made4TheCage 23: Carnage in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear,
One of the UK's brightest prospects steps into the cage again on Saturday night and he's looking to make a big statement.
Ryan Scope, 25, currently has an undefeated record of 10-0 and is considered by many to be one of the finest young British fighters around. Having fought under both the BAMMA and ACB banners recently, Scope this weekend returns to his roots when he fights on the Made4TheCage 23: Carnage card in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England.
The British fighter has been finding it difficult lately to find opponents at lightweight to take a fight. With no contenders willing to come to the fore, Scope this weekend takes a step up to welterweight to fight for the vacant Made4TheCage welterweight title against Welshman, Lew Long.
"I was finding it hard to get matched at lightweight after I made my return at ACB 47 in October," Scope said, speaking exclusively to FloCombat earlier this week. "I heard Lew was also having a similar problem at welterweight, so I thought why not fight him at 170 pounds instead.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/MADE4THECAGEUK/status/832614767525249025" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
"I've fought a few times there before in both Made4TheCage and BAMMA and I'm unbeaten at the weight. I'm more than comfortable there so making the step up isn't bothering me at all in the slightest.
The fact I don't have to cut any weight is obviously a bonus for me and I prefer it. Nothing really changes in my preparations, it just means I can what eat until the weigh-in which is always a good thing. I feel like I've got a lot more energy for my training."
Lew Long (13-4) is a man not to be underestimated. The Welshman has won seven of his last eight fights and he comes into the bout riding high off a win over Kes Mamba back in December. Like Scope, Long is considered one of the British talents to keep an eye on. Scope is well aware of Long's talents heading into the cage on Saturday night and he isn't underestimating him by any means.
"I think Lew is a tough, well-rounded opponent," Scope said. He's a BJJ brown belt and he's also got a black belt in judo so it's no secret he's a strong grappler.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/MMA_Jim/status/815458744700018688" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
"I still think I've got more than enough to get the job done. I'm confident that I'm better than him wherever the fight goes and I think a win over Lew is going make a big statement."
Scope's hoping that big statement leads to a call-up from the UFC. At 11-0 and with wins over top level European talent to his name, few could dispute that the man from Sunderland isn't worthy of a chance to compete with the world's elite.
"I think this next win should put me in the mix for the UFC," Scope said. "I've stepped up in weight and by Sunday I will have beaten top ten guys in both weight divisions.
"I want to fight often and against the best possible opponents. This Saturday I'm going to prove I'm worthy of my shot in the UFC when I smash through Lew Long."
Ryan Scope, 25, currently has an undefeated record of 10-0 and is considered by many to be one of the finest young British fighters around. Having fought under both the BAMMA and ACB banners recently, Scope this weekend returns to his roots when he fights on the Made4TheCage 23: Carnage card in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England.
The British fighter has been finding it difficult lately to find opponents at lightweight to take a fight. With no contenders willing to come to the fore, Scope this weekend takes a step up to welterweight to fight for the vacant Made4TheCage welterweight title against Welshman, Lew Long.
"I was finding it hard to get matched at lightweight after I made my return at ACB 47 in October," Scope said, speaking exclusively to FloCombat earlier this week. "I heard Lew was also having a similar problem at welterweight, so I thought why not fight him at 170 pounds instead.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/MADE4THECAGEUK/status/832614767525249025" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
"I've fought a few times there before in both Made4TheCage and BAMMA and I'm unbeaten at the weight. I'm more than comfortable there so making the step up isn't bothering me at all in the slightest.
The fact I don't have to cut any weight is obviously a bonus for me and I prefer it. Nothing really changes in my preparations, it just means I can what eat until the weigh-in which is always a good thing. I feel like I've got a lot more energy for my training."
Lew Long (13-4) is a man not to be underestimated. The Welshman has won seven of his last eight fights and he comes into the bout riding high off a win over Kes Mamba back in December. Like Scope, Long is considered one of the British talents to keep an eye on. Scope is well aware of Long's talents heading into the cage on Saturday night and he isn't underestimating him by any means.
"I think Lew is a tough, well-rounded opponent," Scope said. He's a BJJ brown belt and he's also got a black belt in judo so it's no secret he's a strong grappler.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/MMA_Jim/status/815458744700018688" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
"I still think I've got more than enough to get the job done. I'm confident that I'm better than him wherever the fight goes and I think a win over Lew is going make a big statement."
Scope's hoping that big statement leads to a call-up from the UFC. At 11-0 and with wins over top level European talent to his name, few could dispute that the man from Sunderland isn't worthy of a chance to compete with the world's elite.
"I think this next win should put me in the mix for the UFC," Scope said. "I've stepped up in weight and by Sunday I will have beaten top ten guys in both weight divisions.
"I want to fight often and against the best possible opponents. This Saturday I'm going to prove I'm worthy of my shot in the UFC when I smash through Lew Long."