A year after retiring from the sport, Scottish MMA legend Steven Ray is set to make his return to the cage this September.
Ray hung up the gloves after losing his two fights in the first round of last year’s PFL global season. But he has continued to compete in grappling and has decided to give it one more go as he gets the chance to headline in his home country.
The distinguished grappler will headline at the OVO Hydro Arena on Saturday September 28 against Lewis Long. It will be PFL’s debut in Scotland, and a rare major MMA show at the renowned Glasgow venue.
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Former UFC star Roger Huerta makes MMA return after three years
In the co-main event of the big Hydro card, ex-UFC and Bellator star Roger Huerta will step back into the cage for the first time since 2021. The American lost his last outing to Chris Gonzalez in 2021, which consolidated a four-fight losing run.
The California native last won a fight in 2017, and was stopped in three of his four losing efforts since against Gonzelez, Patricky Pitbull and Benson Henderson. He returns against fellow UFC veteran Robert Whiteford, who gets a massive homecoming at the arena.
It is expected that a number of Scottish talents will feature on the card, while it will also feature tournament competitors from this year’s UK schedule. There has been a clamour for major MMA in the city for years, and between PFL and Cage Warriors’ upcoming shows there is now lots of activity.
Dan Hardy promises ‘truly memorable’ PFL Glasgow event
“We are going to put on an MMA spectacle in Glasgow this September and make it a truly memorable debut for PFL in Scotland,” said PFL Europe Head of Fighter Operations, Dan Hardy, in a press release yesterday.
“Glasgow is a city brimming with talent, and we’re getting excited to fill the card with not only Europe’s finest, but with a real focus on Scotland’s future MMA stars. The PFL Europe ‘Path to Global’ is one of the most gruelling tests in combat sports.
“Our athletes compete in a season format involving three fights in the year to win the PFL Europe Championship, the prize money, and the opportunity to be called up to PFL’s global league.”