Four long years have passed since Ryan Ford last stepped inside an MMA cage, but his time away from the sport is finally drawing to a close.
Ford (22-5) is set to make his MMA comeback on Friday evening as he faces veteran fighter Matthew Delanoit (27-14, 1 NC) in a welterweight matchup at Unified MMA 34 in Edmonton, Alberta.
The 36-year-old Ford has spent the past four years building a reputation in professional boxing, where he posted a strong record of 14-3.
Now that he's found success in the ring, Ford expressed enthusiasm about returning to the cage and blending everything he's developed as a boxer with his broader MMA skillset.
"I've been mulling it over for some time, and I'm looking forward to it," Ford remarked during an interview.
"MMA is worlds apart from boxing. Come next Friday, I'll actually get to lay hands on an opponent and really impose myself whenever I choose. If I decide to lift him up, slam him, or throw elbows into his jaw, that's exactly what I'm planning to do."
Beyond making his MMA comeback, Ford has the added advantage of competing in front of locals, relatives, and close friends.
He noted that it's been quite a while since he's fought in either MMA or boxing in Edmonton, and he's eager to experience the electric atmosphere at the River Cree Resort and Casino this Friday evening.
"It's going to be fantastic. Everyone around here is buzzing to watch me step back into the cage," Ford shared.
"Edmonton fans are in for an exciting evening, and honestly, don't blink—because I don't get compensated by the hour and I'm not interested in dragging this out."
In recent weeks, Ford told reporters he'd received texts from pals forwarding him clips of what Delanoit had been posting on social media about him.
Though such exchanges are standard pre-fight banter, Ford believes Delanoit is simply trying to pump himself up ahead of the bout.
"A lot of fighters rely on that kind of self-hype to stay motivated, but all that talk amounts to very little," Ford stated.
"Inside the cage, I communicate with my fists, my knees, my kicks, and my submissions. Whatever I decide to do, that's my form of communication. Once that cage door shuts, there won't be any more keyboard warrior antics—he'll be staring right down my barrel."
Chip on The Shoulder
Delanoit explained that the trash talk stems from a longstanding frustration he carries whenever he's brought into a hometown arena where the crowd is fully behind the local fighter.
Feeling this matchup mirrors that scenario, the 34-year-old Delanoit said he intends to occupy Ford's thoughts constantly in the weeks before the bout, insisting his comments aren't meant personally.
"I know exactly what happens in these situations—I know what people expect. They're counting on me to get destroyed, so screw that attitude," Delanoit said during a conversation.
"When you're repeatedly flown in as the out-of-town underdog, you develop a chip on your shoulder. This isn't about Ryan Ford personally, but if he thinks he's walking into a soft fight, he's in for a massive shock."
Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, Delanoit arrives riding a submission win over Steve Mann earned in May, whereas Ford hasn't competed in MMA since 2014.
Despite Ford's lengthy break from competition, Delanoit dismissed concerns about the fighter potentially struggling with ring rust, expecting him to arrive in peak condition.
"I've never bought into this cage rust narrative. I've taken my own time off, and it ultimately depends on the quality of your training camp," Delanoit explained.
"At the end of the day, I don't pay attention to what Ryan Ford is doing or how he's preparing. That's irrelevant to me. I keep my focus on myself and the things I can actually control."
Of Delanoit's 27 career victories, 25 have come via stoppage, with 15 of those ending by submission.
While Ford boasts a comparable finishing rate, Delanoit is confident he'll be the one celebrating when the final bell rings.
"I'll punch my way into a takedown position, and if he drops, I'll TKO him—or if he stays standing, he stays standing," Delanoit declared.
"Otherwise, I'm securing the takedown, locking in a choke, and finishing him."
Ford's Shoutouts
"I want to thank everyone around the world who's been supporting me. A huge shoutout to all my sponsors—without them, I couldn't train full-time, compete full-time, and provide for my family. I'd like to recognize Royal Empire Jewelry, Tydax Fitness, Real Deal Athletics, Genesis Edmonton, The Clinch Fight Shop, Maximum Health & Nutrition, Death Defied, and the Pay it Forward Foundation."
Delanoit's Shoutouts
"I'd like to thank Viking Tattoo, New Dawn Nutrition, and my entire team."
