Stevie Ray (24-10, 15 finishes) punched his PFL playoff ticket with an upset of former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis (25-13, 19 finishes). By virtue of the regular-season standings, the two will square off again in the main event of PFL’s return Friday to the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, with a place in the 155-pound championship event in the fall. The Post’s Scott Fontana caught up with Ray via phone Monday as the Scot was arriving in New York for the latest Post Fight Interview.

Q: Where does the victory over Pettis rank in terms of career accomplishments?
A: It’s probably top of the list of my career. Anthony Pettis is probably the biggest one I’ve had, so yeah, right up there at the top of it.

Q: How do you feel about going against Pettis again so soon?
A: I’m excited for it. He’s the biggest name in the PFL, and I’ve got the kind of mental advantage, I would say. I just beat him [on June 24]. Ready to beat him again.

Q: Your 10-fight UFC career ended off of a win under unfortunate circumstances, having discussed previously a knee injury, visa issues and your initial retirement. Are you any more at peace now with how things ended there?
A: I was obviously devastated when that happened with the UFC and the way it went, as well. The biggest win in my career. I had just beat Michael Johnson, just signed a new four-fight contract. But to be honest, I did have injuries at the time. Mentally, it wasn’t great to be on the highest high and then my world come crashing down. But to truly be back healthy and given the opportunity from PFL, I’m just really thankful to the PFL and really pleased with what they’ve brought.

Q: How has your time with PFL this year compared to working with UFC?
A: To be honest, just very similar. They’re both top of the game. PFL is obviously a little less known at the moment. I feel like they’re definitely working their way up. But yeah, I don’t feel any real difference. They’re both very professional, and it just feels like I’m still in the UFC in terms of professionalism and high standard.

Q: How did you feel earlier this year in the loss to Alex Martinez, which was your first fight back from a two-and-a-half year layoff?
A: I feel like, before the fight, I felt like I would be fine. But to be honest, when I was in there, yeah, it felt weird, like it had been a long time. I did have ring rust. I didn’t fight great. I made some mistakes. There’s a lot of things that happened. But I’ve kind of proved that, against Pettis, the ring rust is away. I feel even sharper this fight.

Q: You’ve competed all over the world. How do you rate your excitement to fight in New York first the first time?
A: Just super excited. It’s [my] first time in New York. I’m main eventing MSG. I just feel like this is what has been deserved and what’s been coming. I’ve been working hard for the past 12 years, really, all for this moment. 

Q: Will you check out New York after the fight and try some of the food?
A: [I’m] flying back the next day. Maybe I should have spent a little bit more time, but I’ve got four kids at home. I would have liked for the wife to come across. She wanted to come as well. Just a struggle to get babysitters for her to come across. And obviously, dragging all four of the kids across would be tough, as well. I’ll try and see New York as much as I can this week. I’ve got one day to try as much food as I can after the fight. I’d like to come back with the wife at some point. 

Q: What plans do you have if you win your next two playoff fights and earn the $1 million championship prize?
A: I would just like to change my life. I would start with a celebration, huge celebration, celebrate, and then look to just make life a little bit easier, look to maybe pay off my house or buy a house outright, be smart. I’ll celebrate, for sure, with some drinks and some food. But I’m trying not to look too far ahead. 

Q: How would you assess the current state of Scottish MMA?
A: I would say it’s really good. When I first started training, just in terms of even [Brazilian jiu-jitsu], there were maybe one or two black belts in Scotland. And now, there’s over 100 black belts in Scotland alone. It just shows you how much it’s grown and how big it is in Scotland. There’s been five fighters that have competed in the UFC, and there’s been other fighters that have fought on the world stage: UFC, Bellator, all the big stages. I would say it’s pretty good for a small country. In Scotland, fighting is in our blood. I would say so. It’s one of the few sports that we’re good at.

Q: Typical walkaround weight between fights?
A: If I’m walking about in shape, I’m roughly about 80 kilos [176 pounds] if I’m in real good shape. Maybe between … 170 and 180 pounds. But I’ve been as heavy [as], last year on lockdown, I went way up to over 200 pounds. I was just kind of lifting weights and enjoying the food a little bit more.

Q: Typical weight on fight night?
A: Ideally, I feel best when I’m around 170 to 175 [pounds].

Q: Favorite post-weigh-in meal?
A: Post-weigh-in meal, just anything a little bit more substantial. It’s not so much on the type of food straight after the weigh in; it’s more of the quantity. And then after the fight, I would say it’s more of the quality of the food. Then that’s when I’m wanting some cake and pizza. I try and stay disciplined. I would say I’m very experienced and mature now. Back in the day, I’ve done loads of crazy stuff after weigh-ins, eating the wrong stuff and gone in the fight a little bloated. I try and remember the biggest part isn’t over yet: the fight. So stay disciplined with the food, and then you can enjoy as much food after the fight as you want. So yeah, I’d say maybe pasta after the weigh-ins.

Q: What’s the coolest technique in combat sports?
A: Coolest technique is my variation that I hit on the twister; the twister that nobody even knew what it was, that I hit against Pettis the last time. I’m just being a bit biased for that.

Q: Favorite movie?
A: The “Harry Potter” films.

Q: Favorite outdoor activity?
A: Football (soccer).

Q: Favorite video game?
A: I’ve not really got time for video games these days, having four kids. I used to play a lot of “Call of Duty.” I was pretty good at it; pretty hooked, as well.

Q: Favorite fight of yours?
A: My favorite fight of all time is probably just the experience [when] I opened the main card of [the first] UFC Glasgow. I fought a Brazilian, Leonardo Mafra, and I got the [technical] knockout in the first round. I also got [Performance] of the Night, so I got an extra 50 Gs. I went 2-0 in the UFC. That was unreal because there were [10,451] Scottish fans all cheering my name. Unbelievable moment.

Q: Who in MMA do you most admire?
A: I’ve got a lot of people I admire. [Georges St-Pierre] was always one that I admired. I’ve trained with GSP and sparred him at Tristar [Gym]. I just liked how smart he was. I liked how good his fight IQ was. He wasn’t always the best in one area, I feel, but he managed to still always get the win. He was very smart and very humble. He was one of my guys I looked up to. But even guys like [Conor] McGregor. He’s done a lot for the sport.