If things had panned out just a little different, British lightweight Ryan Scope might have been preparing for a Bellator title fight right now.
The Sunderland, England-born fighter took on former Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Freire in the main event of Bellator Europe 1 and pushed “Pitbull” to the limit over three closely contested rounds at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England back in February.
It was a baptism of fire for the British fighter, and a test that he proved was well within his compass as he battled the Brazilian to a split-decision loss in a bout many observers felt he had won.
Scope (10-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) believed he’d done enough, and now wants to fight his way back into a position to face “Pitbull” again.
“Yeah I was happy to take the test,” said Scope at Bellator’s twin-card press conference in Dublin. “I thought I won the fight, I thought I did enough to win. But sometimes it doesn’t go your way and I’ll be looking to get that rematch eventually.”
Scope faces Dublin’s Peter Queally (11-5 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) on the main card of Bellator Europe 4 at the 3Arena on September 27. The Irishman is also heading into the bout having suffered split-decision woes in his previous fight. Queally was narrowly edged out by Myles Price at Bellator 217 and will be going into the bout with Scope with similar motivation.
Scope said he respects his opponent’s credentials, but said he plans on turning up in Queally’s home town and scoring a stoppage win before heading back to England to plan his path towards a rematch with “Pitbull”.
“He’s from a good gym, he’s a tough guy (and) he’s a veteran so I’ll be looking for a war,” said Scope.
“I’m gonna finish him, no doubt,” he said. “Anywhere (standing or on the ground), though, it doesn’t matter.”
