See how the MMA community reacted to Stevie Ray defeating Anthony Pettis yet again, this time as part of the PFL Playoffs
Lightning has struck twice for Stevie Ray. For the second time in a span of fewer than two months, he has beaten Anthony Pettis — and this time it puts him one step closer to the 2022 PFL lightweight championship.
Ray will now fight Olivier Aubin-Mercier following his win over Alex Martinez in the evening’s other PFL lightweight semifinal bout.
After Ray brought pressure early, Pettis found himself in trouble late in the opening round, taken down by Ray. Ray locked Pettis in a deep north-south choke that seemed like it could put the former UFC champion out. Pettis, to his credit, powered out and threw a small flurry before the end of the first.
Pettis, however, wasn’t the more aggressive one in the second round. In fact, Ray managed to get him down again and got to Pettis’s back, where he stayed until the round’s end.
Even with his back to the wall, Pettis didn’t seem to get anything going in the final round, with Ray briefly taking him down again. Pettis attempted a small flurry in the closing seconds, but it was for naught.
PFL Playoffs: Twitter reacts to Anthony Pettis vs. Stevie Ray
That’s the biggest win of Stevie Ray’s career. Calm, composed performance by “Braveheart” to score back-to-back victories over Anthony Pettis and earn his spot in the $1 million @PFLMMA lightweight final. #PFLPlayoffs
— Simon Head (@simonhead) August 6, 2022
Pretty good fight again between Stevie Ray and Anthony Pettis. This time it goes to the judges and Stevie does it AGAIN! That was a massive fight for his career. But I have to ask what does this mean for Showtime? He’s now 1-4 during his two years in the PFL…#PFLPlayoffs
— Below Average Joe’s MMA Podcast (@BAJ_MMAPodcast) August 6, 2022
Nah fam that’s a bs win. Fair enough with the ground control and takedowns, but there was no damage whatsoever. Pettis defended the submissions well and better on the feet #PFLPlayoffs
— Munna (@Munzi100) August 6, 2022
Ray and Pettis battled at PFL 5 on June 24, with Ray locking Pettis in a rare twister submission hold to score a second-round victory.
Ray’s first regular-season bout at PFL 1 ended in a unanimous decision loss to Alexander Martinez.
On the same card, Pettis scored a first-round submission of Myles Price.
