By Dean Weir.

I used to be a die hard UFC fan with little knowledge of, or, interest in UK MMA. On occasion, I felt that the quality of the fights were not up to the standard that they should be for the cost of the tickets, so started to become a little disillusioned with the organisation.

I had met Ricky at numerous UFC events and, at the time, he annoyingly pushed his love of the UK MMA scene and constantly bragged that he was lucky enough to see the likes of Bisping, Hardy and Daley take their fledgling steps in the fight game. Eventually, I began to listen to the talkative Welshman and I now attend at least three, or, four grass roots MMA events a month and I have never looked back, I have Ricky to thank for that, along with one or two other highly regarded people on the UK scene.

Ricky got into MMA in 2004 as a fan and made every effort to attend as many shows as possible. His finances quickly ran dry and he had to think of ways on how to attend shows for little expense. He began compiling top ten rankings and writing event reports, quickly establishing himself as an MMA aficionado. He then got asked to judge fights and manage fighters. More recently Ricky has made himself known on the UK circuit as a promising MC, announcing shows up and down the British Isles.

I recently caught up with “The Star of Cage and Screen” for a few words.

Hi Ricky, first off, how did you get into Ring Announcing ?
I used to write event reports and I got friendly with another ring announcer who goes by the name of "Sledge". After every show he would donate his ring cards for me to use, they came in quite handy when writing. I would have them lying around and when no one was around I would read them out loud in my bedroom.

One day Sledge was double booked for a show in Newport as he had to do FX3 in Reading. He asked me if I could take his place. I accepted, but the night in question was the same night that Wales were to play France in the 6 Nations Rugby grand slam decider, which doesn’t come round very often. I unprofessionally pulled out of the show a week before to watch Wales smash the French for the championship.

I didn’t get asked to MC another show for a whole year until my BJJ coach Chris Rees asked if I would like to announce his show. And the rest is history.

Tell us about your first show.....
I was a bag of nerves and couldn’t wait to get it over with. Tensions were running high as the event was on the eve of the local derby football match between Cardiff and Swansea. A lot of the fighters were from the two cities and during the penultimate event of the night both sets of football fans kicked off on each other and the venue had to be evacuated. I was in the ring and chairs were flying at me. Not a very pleasant experience for my first go (laughs) Football and MMA should be kept separate.

Did it not put you off ?
It wasn't the riot itself that put me off, but more the nerves. At the time I was only going to do the one show then quit, but I had promised my Thai Boxing coach I would MC his show. It was the night after "Denzil" Thomas won the House of Pain Light Weight Title and I was slightly hung over the next morning. I sounded terrible and after the show I was adamant that I would never MC again.

What changed your mind and made you decide to MC again ?
I got a phone call from Sledge saying he was double booked again and could I take his place on Capital Punishment in Southampton. I wasn’t too keen on taking the job but then he mentioned that there were 200 smackers involved. I decided to take his offer. The show was run very professionally and I was well looked after and I had a blast. This show was probably the first important landmark in my MCing career.

Why was this show so important to you ?
Because this was the show I decided that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life, and I also met Brian Adams, a former fighter and promoter based in Portsmouth.

Why was meeting Brian Adams so significant ?
He asked me to be the MC on his shows, I have a great relationship with Brian and the crew at Shock n Awe and it's my favourite show to MC on.

What makes Shock 'n' Awe so special ?
The Atmosphere is electric, there is never a boring fight, love the after parties and the ring girls Poppy and Alex aren’t bad either (laughs).

What do you consider is your biggest achievement as an MC so far ?
Without doubt, MCing Cage Warriors at the NEC in Birmingham. I got to announce on the most established show in European MMA and got the chance to announce some great fighters such as Pascal Krauss, Jim Wallhead and my long time friend Daniel Thomas.

Who are your heroes in the world of ring announcing ?
Firstly I would have to say Bruce Buffer, he is a legend. I catch up with him now and again and he always takes time out to ask how my MCing is coming along. Also, I think The Rock from WWE has had a huge influence on me from my pro wrestling fan boy days. The way he would work the mic was unreal, if he wasn’t a wrestler/actor he would make a bloody good MC...... Can you smellll what "The Rick", is cooking ?? (laughs)

What makes you stand out from other MC's in the UK ?
I think I add a level of excitement higher than most MC's. I'm very passionate about the sport and it shows in my announcing, plus, I run around like a dick in the hours leading up to the fights making sure I get everything perfect. With me you get showmanship and professionalism second to none.

Which is the best fight you have witnessed live as an MC ?
Jamie Skinner v Shane Cutland at Shock n Awe 4. You'll just have to buy the DVD to see why.

I've wanted to ask you this for some time now, so can you explain the "Duchman is a C**t" saga ?
Ha ha, when I first started going to watch the UFC live, a member of the Cage Warriors forums used to mock me for meeting fighters and posting my pics up and constantly name dropping, I can see how it annoyed him though to be honest. Anyway, at UFC 80 in Newcastle I wanted to get back at him by some how involving the fighters. I had the idea of writing something offensive on paper and getting them to hold it, but it was Sledge who added the finishing touches by writing the C word. It had a huge response on Cage Warriors. Just for the record I don’t think Duchman is a c**t.

Thanks for taking time out to chat with us at MMA Hit Pit, is there anyone you would like to thank ?
I would like to thank the people that got me into MCing, Sledge and Chris Rees. All the promoters who book me. Ian Dean for the constant advice you give. Yourself for thinking that I am worthy of being interviewed and putting up with me on foreign UFC trips. Oh and my mother Joyce, mammas boy till I die !

Thanks Ricky, it's been a pleasure speaking with you. Good luck for the future and in your MCing career.