All you need to know about the new Professional Fighters League season

The new Professional Fighters League season begins next week as fighters from across the globe begin their world title charge with cheques for $1million awaiting the winners at the end.

This season, British and Irish fight fans will now be able to watch all the action live on Channel 4 after a huge television deal was announced earlier this year.

There will also be British representation on the opening night of action with Scotland’s Stevie Ray making his PFL debut against Paraguay’s Alexander Martinez with lightweight and light-heavyweight action kicking off the new campaign in Arlington, Texas.

The 32-year-old announced his retirement from professional competition last year after four years fighting under the UFC flag. But he has been given a new lease of life and will look to start his PFL career with a bang next week.

Joining him on the card is light-heavyweight prospect Simeon Powell. The undefeated Londoner fought his way through the PFL’s Challenger Series earlier this year to earn his place in the regular season and is determined to take his chance on the big stage.

‘It is hard not to look along the line when you are a regular kid from Harrow and there is a million dollars at the end of it,’ Powell told Metro.co.uk earlier this year.

‘But of course I’m just focused on the next opponent for now, you have to be. Otherwise all of that goes away. I am 100 per cent focused.’

Defending champion Raush Manfio also returns to action and headlines Wednesday’s card. The Brazilian walked away one million dollars richer after sealing a unanimous decision win in his slugfest against Loik Radzhabov in last October’s lightweight final and will begin the defence of his crown against Don Madge.

Wednesday’s card is the first of