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.
“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 Two unsuccessful outings in 2023 led to another retirement announcement, and once more he rescinded it to return to competition.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.
