Stevie Ray competes in the biggest fight of his career tomorrow at PFL 10. A PFL finalist for the first time, the Scottish fighter has fought a who’s who to get where he is. Not taking the easy road, Stevie is on the cusp of not only becoming a world champion but claiming a cool one million dollars as well.
Leaving the UFC with a huge win over Michael Johnson. The decision to leave the company was one that many would have questioned. However, in hindsight, it was the catalyst for Stevie to be on the brink of potential greatness.
The PFL has quickly and quietly built a roster of fighters up there with the very best. Not only in the Lightweight division, but Ray also competes across the board. A star-studded line-up at Lightweight has seen Stevie prevail to the final.
The First Step
Stevie Ray started his 2022 PFL journey at the very first show of the year, PFL 1. Taking on Alex Martinez in the opener, it was a tough first outing for “Braveheart”. Losing over three rounds, the decision was controversial, but ultimately it did not go the way of Ray.
Losing the opening fight left Ray with a mountain to climb, entering the second. That mountain only increased in size when it was announced his opponent would be former UFC Lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis.
Time to Show Up
With Pettis being arguably the biggest name in the bracket, it was a huge test for Stevie. Pettis’ first bout saw him earn a first-round submission over Myles Price. Gaining him six points and the top spot entering the second bout.
Due to results elsewhere, for Stevie to advance, he’d not only need a finish but need it to be inside two rounds as well. After a competitive first round which saw each man have their moments. Many might have thought a decision was destined.
Round two started, and Ray began to impose his wrestling, taking the fight to the mat. He had Pettis in several compromising positions. While on the back of Anthony, Stevie Ray began to work on a special submission.
Fighting against the usual defence someone may put up when faced with this situation. Stevie would improvise brilliantly and use his BJJ brown belt skills to pull off the unthinkable. Bending limbs in a way many wouldn’t think possible. Ray manoeuvred himself into a position to score one of the rarest MMA submissions.
With 3:57 on the clock, the ref called a stop to the contest, and Ray was declared the winner via twister. Not only beating an MMA legend but earning five points and advancing to the next round.
Second Times a Charm
It was time for the semi-finals, and as the dust settled at Lightweight, the way the bracket fell meant Stevie would once again take on Anthony Pettis. With the steaks at their highest for both men, everyone expected to see another high-level fight.
An opportunity for Ray to put any questions of doubt to bed. He did just that. Proving he is a level above and deserving of a spot in the final. He would defeat Pettis over three rounds via unanimous decision.
Showing up when it mattered most. He used an elite game plan and played to his strengths to once again take the scalp of “Showtime”, and earn his place in the final.
His Opponent
Across the cage from Ray will be Olivier Aubin-Mercier. A UFC alumnus in his own right, since leaving the promotion, the Canadian has truly flourished. Leaving MMA’s biggest promotion on a three-fight skid. It would have been easy to write the now 33-year-old off.
He joined the PFL last year and first competed at PFL 4, defeating Marcin Held via unanimous decision. He went on to compete once more at PFL 7, winning another unanimous decision, this time defeating Darrell Horcher.
Despite going 2-0 in last year’s tournament. His late entry to the competition meant he hadn’t accrued enough points to advance further, making his second fight a showcase fight. This year, Mercier has been competing from PFL 1. Winning both his group fights via decision earning 6 points, and advancing on.
In the semi-final, he would take on Alex Martinez. He is an interesting opponent considering his history with Stevie Ray. It was a dominant display for Olivier, who used his grappling to stifle his Paraguayan counterpart.
Who do you think wins at PFL 10?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
