Two legends of Scottish mixed martial arts will return to compete on home soil at the PFL Europe Playoffs in Glasgow later this year.
PFL Europe officials confirmed to RDX Sports that the 2024 season playoffs will take place at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on Saturday, September 28, with two featured non-season bouts already confirmed for the card.
Headlining the event is former PFL global lightweight finalist Stevie “Braveheart” Ray, who returns home to face Welsh veteran Lewis “The Foot” Long in a welterweight matchup, while another Scottish hero, Rob Whiteford, faces off against American Roger Huerta in a 150-pound co-main event clash.
For Ray and Whiteford, it’s a chance for them to return to the scene of one of their biggest moments as professional fighters. Back in 2016, the duo were a part of the first-ever major global MMA event to take place in Scotland, UFC Glasgow, which was headlined by a bout between England’s Michael Bisping and Brazil’s Thales Leites.
Whiteford featured on the preliminary card at the Hydro, and TKO’d Irish opponent Paul Redmond three minutes into the opening round for one of the most emotionally-charged wins of the night.
Then, later the same evening, Ray opened up the main card with a TKO finish of his own, as he stopped Brazil’s Leonardo Mafra half-way through the first round of their lightweight matchup.
Both wins were greeted with deafening roars from the passionate Glasgow crowd, and a similar atmosphere will be expected in the same venue when Ray and Whiteford return once again.
It will also be a significant day for Whiteford’s opponent, with Huerta set to make his return to active MMA competition for the first time in three and a half years. The 41-year-old is a veteran of 38 fights and has competed for UFC, Bellator and ONE Championship during his career. Now he’ll pull on the PFL gloves for the first time as he steps into the SmartCage to face Whiteford on September 28.
In addition to the two featured bouts, the event will also see the finalists confirmed in each weight class as the final four contenders in each division are paired off to determine the season finalists.
“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.
“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, as 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.”
PFL Europe Playoffs: Confirmed fights
- Stevie Ray vs. Lewis Long
- Rob Whiteford vs. Roger Huerta
