Stevie Ray (fighter)

Scottish mixed martial arts fighter From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Steven Ray (born 25 March 1990) is a Scottish mixed martial artist who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), BAMMA and Cage Warriors, where he was the Lightweight Champion, as well as the BAMMA British Lightweight Champion.[3][4][5] He is competing in the Lightweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

Quick Facts Born, Other names ...
Stevie Ray
BornSteven Ray
(1990-03-25) 25 March 1990 (age 34)
Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland
Other namesBraveheart
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
DivisionLightweight
Welterweight
Reach70 in (178 cm)
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofKirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland
TeamHigher Level MMA
Dinky Ninjas / Tristar Gym
RankBlack Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Years active2010–Present
Kickboxing record
Total1
Wins1
Losses0
Draws0
Mixed martial arts record
Total39
Wins26
By knockout6
By submission10
By decision10
Losses13
By knockout4
By submission4
By decision5
Amateur record
Total7
Wins7
By knockout1
By submission5
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Close

Mixed martial arts career

Summarize
Perspective

Early career

Ray started as an amateur, going 7–0, his first fight was a short notice fight, at Middleweight, for which he weighed in 175 lbs. His next fights were at Welterweight.

Ray made his professional mixed martial arts debut in June 2010. Ray competed predominantly in the United Kingdom where he amassed a record of 16–5 before joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[6][7]

He also won a pro muay thai fight against Scott Morrison, class B rules, super middleweight division, by unanimous decision on 12 May 2012.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Ray made his promotional debut as a short notice replacement for an injured Jason Saggo against Marcin Bandel on 11 April 2015 at UFC Fight Night 64. Ray won the one-sided fight via TKO in the second round.[8]

Ray faced Leonardo Mafra on 18 July 2015 at UFC Fight Night 72.[9] He won the fight via TKO in the first round and earned a Performance of the Night bonus.[10][11]

Ray faced Mickael Lebout on 24 October 2015 at UFC Fight Night 76.[12] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[13]

Ray was expected to face Jake Matthews on 8 July 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale.[14] However, Ray pulled out of the fight in early June due to visa issues and was replaced by Kevin Lee.[15]

Ray next faced Alan Patrick on 24 September 2016 at UFC Fight Night 95.[16] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[17]

Ray faced Ross Pearson on 19 November 2016 at UFC Fight Night 99.[18] He won the fight via split decision.[19]

Ray next faced Joe Lauzon on 22 April 2017 at UFC Fight Night 108.[20] After taking a beating and coming close to being finished by Lauzon in the first round, Ray came back strong in the second and third rounds when Lauzon started to fade because of the energy he used in the first round. After a close fight, Ray was awarded a majority decision victory.[21]

Ray faced Paul Felder on 16 July 2017 at UFC Fight Night 113.[22] He lost the fight by knockout in the first round after being dropped with a knee strike and subsequently finished off with a series of elbows, marking the first time he's been finished by strikes in his MMA career.[23] The fight with Felder also marked the last fight of his prevailing contract with UFC.[24]

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Ray faced Kajan Johnson on 17 March 2018 at UFC Fight Night 127.[25][26] He lost the fight via split decision.[27]

Ray faced Jessin Ayari on 27 October 2018 at UFC Fight Night 138[28] He won the fight by controversial unanimous decision.[29]

Ray faced Leonardo Santos on 1 June 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Smith.[30] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[31]

Ray faced Michael Johnson at UFC on ESPN+ 20 on 26 October 2019.[32] He won the fight via majority decision.[33]

Ray was expected to face Marc Diakiese on 21 March 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards.[34] However, Ray was removed from the card in late-January for undisclosed reasons. Diakiese is expected to remain on the card against promotional newcomer Jai Herbert[35] However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, the event was cancelled.[36]

On 21 September 2020 Ray announced his retirement from competing in MMA due to ongoing knee injuries.[37] He would later reveal that his retirement was due to the UFC cutting him from the promotion due to turning down a fight due to visa issues stemming from prior legal problems, something which he claims the UFC was already aware of.[38]

Professional Fighters League

In 2021, Ray came out of retirement and signed with Professional Fighters League.[39]

2022 Season

Ray faced Alexander Martinez on 20 April 2022 at PFL 1.[40] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[41]

Ray faced Anthony Pettis on 24 June 2022 at PFL 5.[42] He won the bout in the second round via modified body triangle.[43]

Ray rematched Anthony Pettis in the Semifinals of the Lightweight tournament on 5 August 2022 at PFL 7.[44] Once again, Ray won the bout, this time via unanimous decision.[45]

Ray faced Olivier Aubin-Mercier in the finals of the Lightweight tournament on 25 November 2022 at PFL 10.[46] He lost the bout after being knocked out in the second round.[47]

2023 Season

In the 2023 season, Ray faced Natan Schulte on April 14, 2023 at PFL 3.[48] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[49]

Ray faced Clay Collard on June 23, 2023 at PFL 6.[50] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[51]

After the loss, Ray announced his retirement for the second time.[52]

Return from Retirement

Ray announced his return from retirement and would comeback to fight Lewis Long in the main event of PFL Europe 3 in his home country of Scotland on September 28, 2024.[53] He would win via first round submission with another modified body triangle which Ray has named as being a Scottish Twister.[54]

Professional grappling career

Summarize
Perspective

Stevie Ray has also competed in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, in 2011 he won the Scotia Cup 2011, in the middleweight (under 82,3 kg/181 lbs) division at white belt and the Glasgow Open 2011, in the medium-heavyweight (under 88,3 kg/194 lbs) division at white belt.

In 2012 he won Scotia Cup 2012, in the medium-heavyweight (under 88,3 kg/194 lbs) division at blue belt and the Glasgow Open 2012, in the middleweight (under 82,3 kg/181 lbs) division at blue belt.

In 2013 he placed 3rd in the Glasgow No Gi Open 2013, in the middleweight (under 82,3 kg/181 lbs) advanced division.

Ray fought Ellis Younger in a no gi grappling match, at 176 lbs / 80 kg, on 25 August 2018, in an event called Scottish Grappling Invitational 2. He lost the match on points.

On 20 April 2019, Ray competed in the Edinburgh Open 2019, he took 1st place in the Middleweight (82,3 kg/181 lbs) Gi - purple belt division and also took 1st place in the Middleweight (79,5 kg/175 lbs) No Gi - purple belt division.

Ray made his return to the grappling scene on 19 August 2019 at Polaris 11, taking on former Cage Warriors champion Paddy Pimblett in a - 77 kg nogi bout, winning the match by inside heel hook.[55][56]

Ray competed against Craig Ewers, at Polaris 18, at 170 lbs/77 kg, on 27 November 2021, winning the match by submission via modified Twister.

Ray competed against Shane Curtis at Grapplefest 17, at 198 lbs/90 kg on November 18, 2023.[57] He won the match by submitting Curtis with a heel hook.[58]

Ray faced Ibrahima Mane, at Middleweight, 185 lbs/84 kg, on the main card of ADXC 4 on May 18, 2024.[59] He won the match by submission in the first round.[60]

Ray competed against Jed Hue at Polaris 28 on June 15, 2024.[61] He lost the match by decision.[62]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

  • Scotia Cup
    • Scotia Cup 2011 white belt middleweight (under 82,3 kg/181 lbs) – 1st place
    • Scotia Cup 2012 blue belt medium-heavyweight (under 88,3 kg/194 lbs) – 1st place
  • Glasgow Open
    • Glasgow Open 2011 white belt medium-heavyweight (under 88,3 kg/194 lbs) – 1st place
    • Glasgow Open 2012 blue belt middleweight (under 82,3 kg/181 lbs) – 1st place
  • Edinburgh Open
    • Edinburgh Open 2019 purple belt middleweight division (under 82,3 kg/181 lbs) - 1st place

Submission Grappling

  • Glasgow No Gi Open
    • Glasgow Open 2013 advanced middleweight division (under 82,3 kg/181 lbs) – 3rd place
  • Edinburgh Open
    • Edinburgh Open 2019 middleweight division (under 79,5 kg/175 lbs) - 1st place

Mixed martial arts record

Summarize
Perspective
Professional record breakdown
39 matches 26 wins 13 losses
By knockout 6 4
By submission 10 4
By decision 10 5
More information Res., Record ...
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 26–13 Lewis Long Submission (twister) PFL Europe 3 (2024) September 28, 2024 1 4:24 Glasgow, Scotland Return to Welterweight.
Loss 25–13 Clay Collard TKO (punches) PFL 6 (2023) June 23, 2023 2 1:04 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Loss 25–12 Natan Schulte Decision (unanimous) PFL 3 (2023) April 14, 2023 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 25–11 Olivier Aubin-Mercier KO (punch) PFL 10 (2022) November 25, 2022 2 4:40 New York City, New York, United States 2022 PFL Lightweight Tournament Final.
Win 25–10 Anthony Pettis Decision (unanimous) PFL 7 (2022) August 5, 2022 3 5:00 New York City, New York, United States 2022 PFL Lightweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 24–10 Anthony Pettis Submission (twister) PFL 5 (2022) June 24, 2022 2 3:57 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Loss 23–10 Alexander Martinez Decision (unanimous) PFL 1 (2022) April 20, 2022 3 5:00 Arlington, Texas, United States
Win 23–9 Michael Johnson Decision (majority) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren October 26, 2019 3 5:00 Kallang, Singapore
Loss 22–9 Leonardo Santos KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Smith June 1, 2019 1 2:17 Stockholm, Sweden
Win 22–8 Jessin Ayari Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith October 27, 2018 3 5:00 Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Loss 21–8 Kajan Johnson Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov March 17, 2018 3 5:00 London, England
Loss 21–7 Paul Felder KO (elbows) UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio July 16, 2017 1 3:57 Glasgow, Scotland
Win 21–6 Joe Lauzon Decision (majority) UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov April 22, 2017 3 5:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win 20–6 Ross Pearson Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Mousasi vs. Hall 2 November 19, 2016 3 5:00 Belfast, Northern Ireland
Loss 19–6 Alan Patrick Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. Lansberg September 24, 2016 3 5:00 Brasília, Brazil
Win 19–5 Mickael Lebout Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Holohan vs. Smolka October 24, 2015 3 5:00 Dublin, Ireland
Win 18–5 Leonardo Mafra TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites July 18, 2015 1 2:30 Glasgow, Scotland Performance of the Night.
Win 17–5 Marcin Bandel TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop 2 April 11, 2015 2 1:35 Kraków, Poland
Win 16–5 Curt Warburton Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Warriors 73 November 1, 2014 2 2:00 Newcastle, England Defended the Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship.
Win 15–5 Curt Warburton Decision (split) Cage Warriors 69 June 7, 2014 5 5:00 London, England Won the vacant Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship.
Loss 14–5 Ivan Buchinger Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Warriors 63 December 31, 2013 4 3:43 Dublin, Ireland Lost the Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship.
Win 14–4 Sean Carter Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Warriors 60 October 5, 2013 1 4:40 London, England Won the Cage Warriors Lightweight Tournament and the vacant Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship.
Win 13–4 Jason Ball Decision (unanimous) 2 5:00 Cage Warriors Lightweight Tournament Semifinal.
Loss 12–4 Curt Warburton Decision (unanimous) BAMMA 12 March 9, 2013 3 5:00 Newcastle, England Lost the BAMMA British Lightweight Championship.
Win 12–3 Dale Hardiman Decision (unanimous) BAMMA 11 December 2, 2012 3 5:00 Birmingham, England Won the inaugural BAMMA British Lightweight Championship.
Win 11–3 Stu Barrs TKO (punches) Caledonian Combat 1: The Gathering July 21, 2012 2 3:37 Inverness, Scotland Lightweight debut.
Win 10–3 Qasim Shafiq Submission (armbar) On Top 5 June 2, 2012 1 1:02 Glasgow, Scotland Catchweight (165 lb) bout.
Loss 9–3 Assan Njie Submission (guillotine choke) Cage Warriors Fight Night 4 March 15, 2012 2 2:29 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Win 9–2 Vaidas Valancius Submission (rear-naked choke) On Top 4 February 25, 2012 1 2:41 Glasgow, Scotland
Win 8–2 John Quinn KO (punches) On Top 3 September 24, 2011 1 0:57 Glasgow, Scotland
Loss 7–2 Nico Musoke Submission (rear-naked choke) On Top 2 June 18, 2011 1 4:56 Glasgow, Scotland On Top Welterweight Tournament Final. For the on Top Welterweight Championship.
Win 7–1 Merv Mulholland Submission (triangle armbar) 2 4:59 On Top Welterweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 6–1 Scott Ward TKO (punches) Scottish Fight Challenge 4 April 17, 2011 3 2:37 Stirling, Scotland Won the inaugural SFC Welterweight Championship.
Win 5–1 Davey Parker Submission (arm-triangle choke) Total Combat 39 March 12, 2011 1 2:14 Durham, England Won the TC European Welterweight Championship.
Loss 4–1 Dan Hope Technical Submission (armbar) Honour 4 November 27, 2010 1 0:00 Aberdeen, Scotland
Win 4–0 Mark Young Submission (heel hook) Scottish Fight Challenge 3: Showdown October 10, 2010 1 0:00 Stirling, Scotland Won the SFC Welterweight Tournament.
Win 3–0 Vincent del Guerra Decision (unanimous) 2 5:00 SFC Welterweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 2–0 Loic Marty Submission (brabo choke) Brawl at the Bay July 25, 2010 1 0:00 Fife, Scotland
Win 1–0 Shaun Edmondson KO (punch) Scottish Fight Challenge 2 June 27, 2010 1 1:54 Stirling, Scotland Welterweight debut.
Close

[70]

See also

References

Wikiwand - on

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.