He's a lover and a fighter

By NORRIS LEDYARD

Expositor Staff Writer

Local resident Larry Ray is a concrete mason for Midwest Contracting. Born in the Toledo-area, he now lives in Wauseon with his wife, Brenda, and their two children, Bryce and Nolan.

Work and family can be demanding, but add to that a rather punishing hobby, and he can be said to be taking his lumps.

In his off-times, Larry has a rather demanding hobby as a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter.

Weighing 170 pounds, he competes as a welterweight amateur MMA fighter within the North American Allied Fight Series (NAAFS). He is registered with the Ohio Athletic Commission as a trained fighter. Larry's record is 5-4.

Larry is currently preparing for his 10th bout. The live fight will take place Friday, July 10 at the Lifestyles Pavilion in Columbus. His bout - to be taped for a delayed broadcast on Sports Time Ohio and Buckeye Cable Sports Network at a later date - will be his second slated for television. It will be part of Caged Vengeance 5, the first-ever NAAFS event held outdoors in Columbus. Tickets are available. First bell is 7 p.m.

Once in the octagon, or cage, he'll face another amateur who recently fought as a heavyweight, meaning the opponent went from 205 pounds down to Larry's weight class.

"I work with concrete during the day and train from 4 to 7 p.m.," said Larry. "When I train with other fighters, I drive to Toledo and work out at USA Martial Arts. There are 20 different fighters and martial arts experts there to learn from for my preparation. One guy is an 8th degree black belt in karate, some kick-boxers, you name it, they are there.

"I started doing MMA about 1 1/2 years ago in my basement. With a wrestling mat and a heavy bag, I just got busy and felt I was developing as a fighter."

Other interests Larry has outside of family, work and MMA is freestyle wrestling. He is an assistant coach for the Wauseon Biddy Wrestling. High school wrestling is really where it all started. While he was in high school at Toledo Northview, Larry played football and wrestled. He agreed that wrestling is the toughest six minutes an athlete can experience in high school.

"You are all alone on the mat with your opponent," said Larry. "Preparation, both physically and mentally, are so important when you're on the mat. When I watched a MMA bout on television, I felt I should do something more than my usual workouts."

By doing the MMA, he is learning other disciplines and has the focus of an upcoming bout to carry him through the workouts and sparring. During his last match, he had to tap-out as his opponent got him into a cross of an arm bar and a choke hold.

Having gained that experience and further preparation, when he enters the octagon in Columbus, Larry has a chance, with a win, to move up into the Ohio Top 10 welterweights.