Ryan McGillivray has returned to the place where his career was launched.
Coming off his appearance on The Ultimate Fighter: Season 14, “The Kid” has signed on to once again be a key figure in the Maximum Fighting Championship’s welterweight division. McGillivray (11-5-1) will make his return to the organization at MFC 32: Bitter Rivals taking place on Friday, January 27 at the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.
“There were a lot of factors in my decision to be back in the MFC,” explained McGillivray, who has 12 fights in the MFC ring on his resume.
“I got tired of dealing with the people in other organizations. I just want to fight and the MFC is the best platform for me to do that.”
McGillivray’s opponent on the HDNet Fights card will be announced shortly, though the 25-year-old, who will be fighting in front of a partisan hometown crowd, already has his eye on a few names including those in the hunt for the MFC welterweight crown.
“You’re only as good as your last fight. Dhiego Lima and Sheldon Westcott are both doing very well, but come January I’m going to show where I belong amongst them,” noted McGillivray, who boasts nine victories via submission but is determined to show an improved overall attack.
“My stand-up has never been better. I was never known as a stand-up fighter. I’d look to take it to the ground. Now I think I’ve got a vastly underrated stand-up game.
“I learned a lot of tricks being on the show and training down at (Greg) Jackson’s. I think I’ve improved 10-fold.”
McGillivray, whose career began with a five-fight unbeaten run, has dropped just one of his last five bouts. While part of that success has come from those improved striking skills, a major element has been McGillivray’s change in mental approach. The ever-jovial personality is still there, but added in is a clearly much deeper desire to compete at an elite level.
“I’m fighting more desperately,” declared McGillivray. “Fighting has always been a part of my life, but it’s now become how I feed my daughter Peighton, pay my bills, and make my living. I think that says a lot. It’s become much more important to me.
“It’s my business and I want to increase my value. Fortunately it’s my life … it’s what I do for work and it’s what I love. It’s really given my life deeper meaning and I’m fighting with a lot more emotion.”
Tickets for MFC 32: Bitter Rivals are on sale now and available exclusively through the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.
