EXCLUSIVE MMABay interview with UCMMA lightweight number one contender, Tim Ratcliffe

MMABay keeps rolling out those EXCLUSIVE interviews this month, this time sitting down with the man who will challenge Michael Pastou for his UCMMA lightweight title in just a couple of short weeks time, Tim Ratcliffe. Check out what this talented UK 155 pounder had to say about his upcoming fight…
Hi Tim,
Thank you for taking the time to sit down with MMABay and answer a few of our questions.
Radcliffe – Thanks for having me!
MMABay – You were last in action on the Cage 14 – All Stars card in November, losing to Anton Kuivanen via TKO due to an injury. What are your thoughts on how the fight went and can you give us details about the injury and your recovery over the past couple of months?

Radcliffe - I always knew he would be a tough fight and good on his feet so I wasn’t surprised by his aggressiveness and hard hitting style. Although in the clinch I felt stronger and once I secured the takedown I could see the fight unfolding for me. The injury came when he through a straight right, I stepped back so it didn’t connect as such, but I think I caught either his glove or thumb straight in the eye. I knew something was wrong and i went down, almost out of shock. He tried to finish but I swept him and finished the round out in top position. Unfortunately my eye had swollen shut and the ref wouldn’t let it continue. I couldn’t see so it was a fair call! Luckily I didn’t sustain any real damage, the swelling went and I was good within a week…just a bad case of red-eye for a little while!
MMABay – How high on your agenda is a rematch with Kuivanen in order for you to set the record straight once and for all and leave no doubts in anyone’s minds?
Radcliffe - I would love a re-match, I feel the fight was very competitive and I want to know how it ends without any freak injuries. Hopefully I can fight again in Finland and work back to a position where Anton and I could get back in the cage. Possible if he gets the title out there and I can get a shot at it!
MMABay – Your next fight is on the UCMMA 18 card where you’ll face Michael Pastou for the lightweight title. What are your thoughts on the fight and what makes Michael such a dangerous opponent for you?
Radcliffe – Michael is the champ and a very worthy one at that. I’m the underdog in this fight I think but for me there is less pressure challenging than defending! He is  a very physical fighter, big, strong with great wrestling. He knows how to use his skills to grind opponents and control the action. If I let him get into his game I will be in for a long, hard night. Stopping him getting into grove is probably the biggest challenge and what makes this fight such a challenge.
MMABay – How has your preparation been going for the fight and have you been working on anything specific to combat Michael and where would you like to see the fight take place if it was up to you?

Radcliffe - Preparation has been good. I do all of my main training at Nova Forca under Ricardo Da Silva and Theo Theodolou. I have been working my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Thai as usual but making sure the training is geared to Michael. More standing clinch, defending the takedown and boxing. It’s always tricky to predict a fight so we try not to. I think it is better to concentrate on what you are going to do than what your opponent is going to do! I would always like to win by submission if I have a preference just for the love of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu but I’m not too picky!
MMABay – Where do you think a win puts you as far as your career is concerned and is the ultimate goal to catch the eye of one of the bigger international MMA promotions such as the UFC and Strikeforce?
Radcliffe - I think that beating another of the top 10 guys in the UK outside of the UFC fighters means there is little else to prove in the UK. I will continue to hunt for good match ups in Europe or further afield to prove myself. Hopefully defending my title will also be on the agenda!
MMABay – Finally, for any new fans that will be watching you for the first time on February 5th, what can we expect from you at UCMMA 18?
Radcliffe - I hope to make this title fight one to watch, with all the elements that make the sport of MMA so great! Of course I’m hoping to take home the belt but I want to make people excited by this sport and appreciate the skill and heart involved.
MMABay – Have you got any sponsors you’d like to mention or people you’d like to thank before we finish?
Radcliffe - I’d like to thank Ricardo and Theo and all the guys at Nova Forca for the training and beatings and Keddles. I’d also like to thank my sponsors Primal Fight Gear, Extreme Nutrition and LightGreen Force. My manager Wad and PR guys at Halo. Last but not least my wife for being understanding!
MMABay – Thanks for taking the time to speak to MMABay.
Radcliffe – Always a pleasure!