Fresh out of a short-lived retirement, Steven Ray is
firmly a member of team Professional Fighters League.
Ray (25-13) will be back in action on Saturday in the main event of
PFL Glasgow, competing on home soil for the first time since
2017. Ray will come to blows with Lewis Long
(20-7) on Sept. 28 at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland. Speaking
to the media on Thursday, he discussed the happiness he feels as
part of the PFL roster as well as what he has learned about himself
after returning from injury and two retirements.
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“I’ve realized that I have a lot of discipline, I’ve noticed a big
difference between me and some other fighters,” Ray remarked. “I
might be being biased or big-headed, but I truly believe that if
some people had to deal with some of the s–t that I’ve had to deal
with over the last 15 years, mentally, physically, [they would not
fare well].”
The 11-fight Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran saw his
expulsion from the roster despite winning his last fight, a
decision over Michael
Johnson. Even though that happened nearly five years ago, Ray
still has a bone to pick with the Las Vegas-based organization.
“The UFC cut me, they basically cut me,” Ray explained. “They asked
me to go as a free agent, but they cut me basically after the
biggest win of my career, because they said my knees were f–ked.
I’ve then gone and fought seven times at the highest level which
obviously proves them wrong. My knees were pretty f–ked, so yeah,
a lot of people would’ve given up. I would say if I’ve realized
anything, it’s how much of a fighter I am.”
Ray hung up his gloves for the first time in 2020, stating that he
was leaving the sport behind due to multiple injuries. A year
later, the Scot signed a deal with PFL, and he debuted in the 2022
season at 155 pounds. Thanks to a
“Submission of the Year”-winning twister on Anthony
Pettis in the regular season, and a decision victory in their
immediate rematch in the playoffs, Ray claimed a place in the $1
million finals.
He ultimately came up short to Olivier
Aubin-Mercier, but that did not sour him on the PFL format. Two
unsuccessful outings in 2023 led to another retirement
announcement, and once more he rescinded it to return to
competition. His match against Long will be his first fight at 170
pounds since 2012, and he is happy as can be about his relationship
with the PFL.
“It’s class, man,” the Scot said about his organization. “I love
what PFL has done, after the UFC I got pissed and emotionally
retired, I didn’t know what was going on. Eventually the PFL thing
came along and they have looked after me. Just a really great
promotion.”
Currently riding a career-long three-fight losing streak, the
34-year-old is aware that his back is against the wall and that a
third retirement might actually be the charm. While he is not ready
to be done competing just yet, he did express some interest in
working for the PFL in a non-combat capacity when he officially
calls it quits.
“I’d like to, if this is my last fight or whenever it is, I’d like
to eventually do stuff for the PFL, if there’s any jobs there or
whatever. I know Donn [Davis] and Peter [Murray], have talked more
to Peter. But yeah, I love what they’re doing, giving opportunities
to these up-and-coming fighters. The fact they’ve got a European
show to win $100,000 and possibly move on to win $1 million, it’s
amazing what they’re doing. I’m loving it. I like to see another
company rivaling the UFC, everybody knows the UFC has done great
things as well. It gives fighters options, I feel in the past it
was only the UFC, but now fighters all over the world know it’s
like, ‘f–k you, I’m going somewhere else’,” Ray concluded.