Stevie Ray Dream Homecoming In Glasgow

Away from the top tier, times can be tough for those who make a living through prizefighting. With two young children and a third due any day, Ray was facing the biggest decision of his career: To pursue his UFC dream - or face up to the reality of financial hardship and go in a different direction.

“It was a lot of struggle,” he said. “I was on welfare getting benefits. I hated it. I tried to work. It was so stressful. The amount of times I couldn’t pay my rent, it was making me do stupid stuff. Even when I had money, I nearly got into a gambling addiction. I was wanting to go and win some money and I’d end up blowing it all.”

After six years of hard graft, the Scot had earned himself a…