Cage Warriors lightweight champ Stevie Ray signs new deal with promotion

It’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride for Stevie Ray since he signed with Cage Warriors, but with a new deal in place, he’s hoping for some stability as far as his title is concerned.

Ray (15-5), Cage Warriors’ lightweight champion, has signed a new five-fight deal with the promotion, extending his contract for an additional 18 months. Cage Warriors officials announced the news on Thursday.

“I’m very happy to have signed a new deal with Cage Warriors and I’m really looking forward to defending my belt again,” Ray stated. “It’s not going anywhere this time. I’ll defeat anyone who steps in my way.”

Ray debuted with Cage Warriors in the welterweight division at Cage Warriors Fight Night 4 in March 2012, but he was submitted by Assan Njie in the second round.

THe Scotsman returned at Cage Warriors 60, though, this past October for the promotion’s one-night, four-man lightweight tournament. There, he beat Jason Ball by decision, then submitted Sean Carter to win the 155-pound belt that Conor McGregor vacated when he was signed by the UFC.

In his first defense, though, he was submitted by Ivan Buchinger at Cage Warriors 63 in Dublin this past December. But when Buchinger vacated the title, Ray got another shot at the strap against Curt Warburton – whom he lost to at BAMMA 12 in March 2013.

At Cage Warriors 69 a little more than a month ago, Ray got his revenge and took a split decision from Warburton to get the title back.

“We’re very happy to have yet another one of our top fighters deciding to extend their stay with the promotion,” Cage Warriors CEO Graham Boylan stated. “I’m excited to see Stevie Ray begin his second spell as our lightweight world champion later this year.”

A date and opponent has not yet been set for Ray’s second shot at defending a Cage Warriors title. The 24-year-old has 11 of his 15 career wins by stoppage, including seven submissions.

For more on Cage Warriors’ upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.