A MIXED martial artist is hoping to put the most difficult period of his career behind him as he gears up for a crunch clash at the Braehead Arena next month.

Reece McEwan suffered the first back-to-back defeats of his fighting career in his last two Cage Warriors outings but is determined to bring the streak to an end.

The Greenock fighter fell to UFC veteran Cameron Else in a split decision loss at the premier European fighting competition in April, which followed a title fight defeat to Liam ‘Nightmare’ Gittins last November.

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Reece told the Tele that while the losses have been hard to take, he had gained ‘invaluable’ experience from them.

Reece McEwan is hoping to bounce back in his next fight at Braehead. (Image: George Munro)

He added: “There’s no shying away from it, this has been the most difficult and challenging time in my career.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever lost back-to-back, but the silver lining in these losses is that every time you lose, or every time you win, there’s a whole learning curve that comes from the fight camp, the preparation and the performance.

“I think no matter what, my job is to train full time, perform and compete.

“On your best night you could come up short, and on your worst night you could come out a winner.

“There are so many ways to win and so many ways to lose, and I have to break it all down and work out how to make each performance better.

“I don’t think anyone left the venue after my last fight thinking Reece McEwan did not belong in there with a former UFC fighter.

“At the end of the day, while there are silver linings in the losses, I take it very harshly and go back to the drawing board to work out how I can be better.

“It’s all about growth, trying to get better all the time and making sure you see the bigger picture in terms of getting better.”

“I’ve got a point to prove, and I feel like I’m going to take the handbrake off and walk through this guy.

“I feel like I need to come out and make a statement. I need to leave no doubt of my skillset and remind any of those doubters out there I’m one of the best fighters in Europe.”

While Reece felt the sting of defeat at the Braehead Arena in April, he said he took heart from the enormous home support that turned out to back him at the event.

He is hoping to get a chance at redemption when he faces off against Miguel Haro in September at the same venue.

He added: “After a decade of Cage Warriors not being in this country I signed, brought an amazing support throughout the UK, and then we had 3,100 people at the Braehead Arena, which was insane.

“But that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, because it’s on me that I didn’t get the win for everybody, and I want to do that this time.

“It’s about righting the wrongs.

“I just want to say a huge thank you to the people who have been there for me.

“It’s a real testament to them that they’ve stuck by me recently and I’m very grateful.”

Those wishing to attend Reece's next fight on September 7 at the Braehead Arena can purchase tickets at tinyurl.com/wkttw8ay.