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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Harry Davies

Stevie Ray reveals old sparring sessions with PFL rival ahead of $1m clash

Stevie Ray PFL Alexander Martinez UFC

Stevie Ray is no stranger to his upcoming opponent Olivier-Aubin Mercier as the pair have sparred and rolled with each other in the past.

Ray, 32, competes for the PFL lightweight title against Mercier this Friday in New York with $1million also being on the line in their title clash. ‘Braveheart’ was dangerously close to being eliminated from this year’s PFL campaign after losing his opening fight to Alexander Martinez, but back-to-back wins over former UFC champion Anthony Pettis have landed him a spot in the final.

Mercier, 33, has gone unbeaten in this year’s campaign as the Canadian has won decisions against Natan Schulte, Raush Manfio and Martinez. Ray recalled his previous sparring sessions with fellow UFC veteran Mercier in a recent chat with Mirror Fighting, admitting there wasn’t much to separate the top lightweights.

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