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Ross Pearson has insisted he has no plans to leave the UFC anytime soon and is targeting a rematch with Diego Samchez at UFC London once he deals with Stevie Ray in Belfast.

The Northerner faces off against Scottish rival Ray at UFC Fight Night this Saturday aiming to bounce back from the first back-to-back defeats of his career.

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Pearson recently relocated back to Sunderland and says he was looking to rediscover his fight flair after a difficult year that has seen him lose three of his four clashes in the octagon.

‘My last few fights I was missing something and I’ve been looking for what that was,’ Pearson told Metro.co.uk’s Jim Edwards.




‘Going back home really hit home a lot. I found myself again.

Pearson vs Ray Pearson

Record: 19-12-0

Last fight: LOSS vs Jorge Masvidal (July) Ray

Record: 19-6-0

Last fight: LOsS vs Alan Patrick Silva Alves (Sep)

‘My body has felt great, my training has been perfect.’

Pearson’s clash with Ray is being billed as England versus Scotland in the co-main event and the 32-year-old says he was delighted to be given a replacement fighter he knows he can beat.

James Krause was Pearson’s original Belfast opponent before injury ruled him out, but the UK fighter says he knows exactly how Ray will look to fight and is ready to counter him.

‘I’m ready to go in there and take Stevie out,’ he said.

‘I was little bit happy (when they told me I’d be fighting Stevie).

Ross Pearson and Stevie Ray fight this Saturday (Picture: Getty)

Ray is coming into the clash off a loss (Picture: Getty)

‘Stevie will bring an interesting fight.

‘He’s got an opportunity here.

‘First co-main event, his first named opponent so he’s going to be pumped. Bringing his A-game.

‘I like the stylistic match up, I do well with southpaws.

‘I know he’s going to come and try and take me out, but I do well with guys that press forward.’

Pearson and Ray will be the final fight before Gegard Mousasi and Uriah Hall close out the night in the headline clash.

Ray has never co-hosted a Fight Night and Pearson says his opponent’s hunger to do well will make for an exciting fight.

‘Stevie is going to bring it,’ he said.

‘This is his opportunity to shine and I want to shut that down.

‘I’m not going to let that happen, I’ve been working too hard, too long.

‘I want it too much and he ain’t getting what I got.

‘I’m looking to take this guy out in spectacular fashion.’

Despite a frustrating year in the cage, Pearson has just signed a new deal with the UFC and is targeting a big night in London in March.

‘I just signed a four fight contract, so this is my first fight,’ Pearson revealed.

Pearson is looking for his first win after two straight defeats (Picture: Getty)

‘I’ll be looking to carry on.

‘I’ll be going back home to Australia and have Christmas and New Year.

‘I like the look of the London card in March.



‘That’ll be a good event to get on and time wise it’s a good frame.

Diego Sanchez won a split decision over Pearson in 2014 (Picture: Getty)

‘So hopefully knock Stevie out in spectacular fashion, Diego Sanchez has just come off a win, lets put us together in London.

‘Have him come to my hometown. Have the rematch he owes me.

‘He can’t retire without fighting me again.’

MORE: Gegard Mousasi ideally wants to knock out Uriah Hall in the first minute to get total revenge at UFC Fight Night Belfast