Lewis Long Prepared To Dominate PFL Europe Scene
Continuing their push into Europe with PFL Europe 3 set for September 28, 2024, one of the bright names in the marquee will be Wales’ Lewis Long. Long will have the opportunity to win his fourth straight and 20th professional bout when he meets Stevie Ray in the night’s main event. PFL Europe 3 will take place in Glasgow, Scotland and can be seen on DAZN in the United States.
Young Start and Early MMA Career
Like many successful MMA fighters, Long started at a very young age with combat sports. “I started with judo at about eight or nine years old. I still remember crying and not wanting to go into my first dojo, but once I learned I could scrap with someone, I never looked back,” Long told MYMMANEWS. “It’s too difficult to thank everyone who’s helped me past, present, and future. But I do want to give a shout out to my life partner, my wife.”
Prior to the legalization of MMA in Wales, Long had to find a way into the sport and did so with his team. “I started at The Mat Academy 13-14 years ago when there was no MMA in the country, really. I had to create and forge my own style and my own brand,” said Long. The Mat Academy is located in Cardiff, Wales, the capital city. The gym is home to many of Wales’ upcoming and rising MMA stars.
Starting out 6-1 on the regional scene, Long would then make his appearance in Cage Warriors, suffering a defeat. After this bump in the road, Long would go on a 10-2 run including all 10 of those wins coming by a finish. Seven of those 10 finishes were in the first round of action. One loss was to UFC veteran Andreas Stahl and the other loss was to Roberto Soldic, showing Long has no fear taking on the very best in the world.
Run Up to PFL 3 Europe Main Event
2020 would see Lewis Long step into the big stage MMA lights with appearances in Bellator, earning three victories, all by first-round submissions. Hungry for another win, Long can earn his 20th professional win, according to Tapology. So what can fans expect from the deadly Welsh star when the cage door closes at PFL 3 Europe’s main event with Stevie Ray? ” You can expect me to kick someone’s ass, to be perfectly honest! I’ve always loved fighting but with the year or so off I’m even more excited to be back. The fight is at such a prestigious level against an iconic name in the UK, but the [explicit] is going down!” said Long.
Even greater than his in-cage accomplishments, will be the effect he is leaving behind on future Wales fighters. “You look back and it feels like somebody else’s life; feels like everything happened so long ago. There have been so many ups and downs. I’m just grateful for the life I’ve lived. Seeing the boys use the techniques I’ve taught them, win or lose, that’s the glory for me, seeing them,” stated Long.
