The finish line may be approaching Stephen Ray.
The Professional Lightweight Fighters Association initially announced his retirement from mixed martial arts in 2020, citing chronic knee problems as the reason behind the decision. That was the end of Scott’s tenure in the UFC, but he made a triumphant comeback last year, capturing the 2022 PFL Championship before losing to Olivier Aubain Mercier in the finals.
After losing to Natan Schulte in his first round of the 2023 season, Ray is considering calling it a career in the near future. Exactly when that happens depends on how he performs against Clay Collard in PFL 6 Friday Night.
“To be honest, I’m really excited about this fight. It’s less pressure for me too,” Ray said at a virtual NBA media day. “I’m just going out there to have fun with it. The worst case scenario is still a good case scenario for me. (If I lose), it will be the first time I have lost three fights in a row. This could be a message that it’s time to put it on hold and it’s time to focus on something else. Obviously, if I win and don’t qualify, it’s fine because I won my last fight. If I qualify… that’s the best case scenario.”
At Collard, Ray will face one of the PFL’s most iconic action fighters. Ray is well aware of his opponent’s professional boxing experience, but that’s not something that makes him stop.
“I watched boxing. I wouldn’t say he’s a great boxer,” Ray said. “I would say he’s an order of magnitude more bulky. It’s not so much his boxing skill as it is his numbers. I feel like my fight will be much better than his. I’m confident all over.”
In an ideal scenario, Ray wouldn’t hang up the four-ounce gloves until later this year. No matter what the future held, he gained PFL recognition during his tenure. This includes those at the top of the organization.
“My whole experience fighting with the PFL has been amazing,” said Ray. “I never got a chance to get close to UFC employees, even the bosses. I got to chat and get close to Ray Sifu, Peter
[Murray] and don [Davis]. We were treated absolutely amazing. I am so grateful that PFL gave me an opportunity and to be a part of the company.”
As his fighting career draws to a close, Ray has an idea of how he would like to be remembered.
“I always came to fight. I always tried to make it sexy. I always showed a lot of heart,” he said. “A lot of people who know my whole story know why I fight, and the biggest reason is to provide for my family. I would like people to remember me as a hard worker, who did what needed to be done.”