After a long and eventful career in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), Stevie Ray has decided to hang up his gloves once again.
The 33-year-old fighter recently declared his retirement for the second time, marking the end of a 13-year journey in professional fighting. Ray’s decision follows his TKO loss to Clay Collard at PFL 6 last Friday, which marked his third consecutive defeat.
Taking to Instagram, Ray shared his retirement news, stating, “Fourteen years of service done. It’s time for me to pass on my knowledge and experience.” You can find his Instagram post below.
Ray’s latest loss to Collard compounded his disappointing 0-2 performance in the 2023 PFL regular season, preventing him from qualifying for the playoffs.
During his time in the PFL, the Scottish fighter amassed a record of 2-4, securing victories over former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis. Notably, he made it to the finals of the 2022 lightweight tournament, where he suffered a second-round knockout loss to Olivier Aubin-Mercier.
Before his stint in the PFL, Ray had also competed in the UFC, where he showcased his skills and accumulated a commendable 7-4 record. His notable wins in the UFC include victories over Michael Johnson, Joe Lauzon, and Ross Pearson. In October 2019, following his win against Johnson, Ray initially announced his retirement due to knee issues but later returned to the sport to compete for the PFL in 2022.
Ray’s bout against Collard took place on June 23, 2023, almost 13 years to the day since his professional debut on June 27, 2010. Prior to his ventures in the PFL and UFC, Ray rose to prominence in Cage Warriors, where he held the lightweight championship on two occasions.
As news of Ray’s retirement spread, the English promotion, Cage Warriors, paid tribute to his achievements throughout his career.
With a final record of 25 wins and 13 losses, Stevie Ray leaves behind a legacy in the sport of MMA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about retirement
Q: How many times has Stevie Ray retired from professional fighting?
A: Stevie Ray has announced his retirement for the second time in his 13-year career.
Q: What was the result of Stevie Ray’s latest fight?
A: Stevie Ray suffered a TKO loss to Clay Collard at PFL 6, which marked his third consecutive defeat.
Q: Did Stevie Ray qualify for the playoffs in the 2023 PFL season?
A: No, Stevie Ray went 0-2 in the 2023 PFL regular season and did not qualify for the playoffs.
Q: What was Stevie Ray’s record in the PFL?
A: Stevie Ray had a record of 2-4 inside the PFL cage, with his two wins coming against former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.
Q: Did Stevie Ray compete in the UFC?
A: Yes, Stevie Ray also competed in the UFC and had a record of 7-4, with notable wins over Michael Johnson, Joe Lauzon, and Ross Pearson.
Q: Why did Stevie Ray previously retire from MMA?
A: Stevie Ray initially announced his retirement in October 2019 due to issues with his knee. However, he later returned to compete for the PFL in 2022.
Q: When did Stevie Ray make his professional debut?
A: Stevie Ray made his pro debut on June 27, 2010, and his most recent fight against Clay Collard took place almost 13 years later on June 23, 2023.
Q: What is Stevie Ray’s final career record?
A: Stevie Ray finishes his career with a record of 25 wins and 13 losses in the world of mixed martial arts.
More about retirement
- Instagram post: [Stevie Ray’s retirement announcement](insert Instagram post URL)
- PFL official website: [Professional Fighters League](insert PFL official website URL)
- UFC official website: [Ultimate Fighting Championship](insert UFC official website URL)
- Cage Warriors official website: [Cage Warriors](insert Cage Warriors official website URL)
