A fresh PFL campaign means another shot at the $1 million grand prize for Grande Prairie, Alta.'s Alex Martinez.
Martinez (8-2) steps in against UFC vet Stevie Ray (23-9) in a lightweight bout to begin the 2022 PFL season on Wednesday evening in Arlington, Tex.
Martinez, 27, carries a heightened sense of self-belief heading into this season, drawing from lessons learned during last year's competition. Rather than simply adapting to the PFL's distinctive tournament format, he gained confidence through competing against world-class opponents.
"The PFL for sure has its own way of doing things," Martinez told MMA Empire during an interview.
"Last year gave me plenty of experience, and my mindset this time around is far more assured—not because I've mastered how the PFL operates, but because I faced so many top-tier fighters previously. I understand their styles, I know how they prepare, and I'm convinced I can match them."
During his time with the PFL, Martinez has squared off against Loik Radzhabov and Natan Schulte—two accomplished and highly skilled competitors.
With a UFC veteran now on the docket, Martinez expresses genuine admiration for Ray based on his impressive track record and well-rounded abilities. Still, Martinez feels prepared to channel his sharpened skill set toward securing victory and bouncing back into the win column.
"First and foremost, he brings serious experience, and that's always valuable," Martinez explained. "He's incredibly tough, mentally strong, and sharp with his fight planning—I'm sure they're coming in with specific strategies for me. I'll need to adjust, stay composed, and execute my own approach."
"What makes Stevie particularly challenging is that he fights from the left side, which isn't something we drill against very often. Plus, he's complete—comfortable on the mat and standing. You need versatility across all areas. He's a strong, resilient opponent, and I'm genuinely pumped for this matchup. I believe I possess everything needed to defeat him. I'm powerful and quick. I'm really looking forward to stepping in the cage."
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