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Monday, Nov 19, 2012

Ryan Healy Hoping to Play Spoiler Role Versus Jesse Ronson at Next SFS: “I’m Happy to be That Person”

Ryan Healy drills John Alessio

Veteran Credits Fighting “My Fight” For Recent Successes

By Kelsey Mowatt

While Pat Healy has been steadily working his way up the Strikeforce lightweight rankings into the number one contender position, his twin brother Ryan has also been recording his fair share of successes as well. Since 2009, Ryan Healy has gone 9-3, and after dropping a competitive unanimous decision to John Alessio in March, the lightweight went on to hand UFC vet Paul Kelly a UD defeat in April.

In other words, it’s been an impressive reversal from a stretch in 2008 and 2009, where the WEC vet lost five straight fights.

“Yeah, I think it just kind of built up,” said Healy, while discussing his recent victories and the importance of his win over Kelly at Super Fight League 2. “I learned a lot from that Alessio fight, just in the fact that I sat back in some instances and didn’t really go after it, and I didn’t try to take the fight from him. I think I respected him a little bit too much and going into the Kelly fight I felt that.”

“I said to myself I’m going to let it go, no matter what,” the 29 year-old Healy furthered about the win, which extended his overall record to 23-11. “I don’t care about his skills, I’m just going to fight my fight, and it worked great. I think that’s something I can bring into this next fight too. It was almost like a big stepping stone, a milestone in my career; I feel like something switched over and now I’m confident in my style and that I can compete with anyone in any area…I’m at peace with my skills.”

It’s interesting that Healy has a new outlook on his career and what he needs to do to be successful, as it wasn’t that long ago that his brother Pat also encountered a renewed confidence. The former welterweight’s career has been transformed by his decision to compete as a lightweight, well evidenced by the fact that Pat has gone 6-1 while competing in the 155 pound Strikeforce division.

“I think they turned out kind of similar,” said Ryan, when asked if he sees comparisons between his career and that of his brothers, “although my brother had kind of been through some stuff and tried to give me some advice. He told me to take smart fights and not take fights on short notice and I didn’t really listen to him…We’ve had ups and downs but I think that just shows what kind of character we have. We have a goal and we’re going to keep working for it no matter what.”

Ryan Healy attacking John Alessio (right)

Up next, Healy has another important and challenging opportunity in front of him, as he’ll take on rising Canadian lightweight Jesse Ronson at the November 23rd Score Fighting Series event in Hamilton, Ontario.

“I’ve seen him fight; I saw his last fight for The Score, and I know he trains with those guys like Hominick,” Healy noted about the 26 year-old-fighter, who trains alongside UFC vets Mark Hominick, Sam Stout and former WEC competitor Chris Horodecki. “I think he’s a typical fighter from their camp; he’s got good stand-up, he likes to stand and throw kicks and knees.”

“He prefers to keep it on his feet but I think his weakness is his wrestling and being in the clinch, and fighting off his back,” Healy furthered about Ronson (11-2), who has won six straight fights heading into the bout. “I feel pretty confident that my skills match up with him everywhere. I think I can stand with him and throw, but I think I have the advantage in the grappling and wrestling.”

The bout will be broadcast live on The Score Network and AXS TV in the U.S., and as a result, is a high profile opportunity for either fighter.

“It almost feels like they’re bringing me in to have their Canadian guys beat me and hopefully take the next step,” said Healy, when asked if he would welcome the role of playing the spoiler and ending Ronson’s rise. “I can relish that. I’m happy to be that person. It was kind of the same thing with my last fight with Super Fight League. They kind of brought me into lose to Paul Kelly…I can use that to my advantage.”

The November 23rd SFS will be hosted by Hamilton, Ontario’s Place Theatre, and will feature Forrest Petz versus Jordan Mein in the main event.

 

posted by FCF Staff @ 12:26 pm
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