2022 PFL Finalist Steven Ray Announces Retirement for Second Time

Steven Ray hinted that once his run in the 2023 Professional Fighters League season was done, he’d call it a career.

“Braveheart” recently made good on that promise, announcing his retirement via Instagram over the weekend.

“Fourteen years of service done. Time to pass on my knowledge and experience,” Ray wrote.

The 33-year-old Scotland native fought for the last time at PFL 6 this past Friday, when he suffered a second-round technical knockout loss to Clay Collard. Had he advanced to the postseason, Ray would have continued for at least one more fight.

Ray initialy announced his retirement in 2020 following a 7-4 stint with the UFC, citing chronic knee issues as the reason for his exit. He returned with the PFL in 2022, earning a pair of victories over ex-UFC champ Anthony Pettis before falling to Olivier Aubin-Mercier in the lightweight final.

A former Cage Warriors lightweight champion, Ray ends his career with a 25-13 record that includes other notable victories against the likes of Michael Johnson, Joe Lauzon and Ross Pearson.

In retirement, Ray plans to give seminars and coach at his gym, Braveheart MMA. During a recent PFL media day prior to his last fight, Ray reflected on how he’d like his time in the sport to be remembered.

“I always came to fight. I always tried to make it exciting. I always showed a lot of heart,” he said. “A lot of people that know my whole story know why I fight, the biggest reason is to provide for my family. I’d like people to remember me as a hard worker, that did what needs to be done.”

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