The Professional Fighters League (PFL) returns for their first event of 2021 with PFL 1. The fight card features the featherweights and lightweights and in the main event, Anthony Pettis battles Clay Collard.
Anthony Pettis (24-10) is riding a two-fight winning streak and signed with the PFL after fighting out his UFC contract. The former UFC lightweight champ earned decision wins over Alex Morono and Donald Cerrone after being submitted by Diego Ferreira and losing a decision to Nate Diaz. In his career, “Showtime” holds notable wins over Stephen Thompson, Michael Chiesa, Charles Oliveira, Benson Henderson, and Gilbert Melendez.
Clay Collard (18-8) is returning to MMA for the first time since April of 2019. Since then, the UFC veteran has been a professional boxer under the Top Rank banner. He had six boxing fights in 2020 and eight in 2019. In his MMA career, however, Collard went 1-3 in the UFC including having his debut against Max Holloway where he lost a third-round TKO.
The co-main event of PFL 1 sees reigning lightweight champ Natan Schulte (20-3-1) battle UFC veteran, Marcin Held (26-7). Reigning featherweight champ, Lance Palmer (22-3) also competes against Bubba Jenkins (14-4). Another notable scrap is DWCS alum, Brendan Loughnane (19-3) taking on UFC veteran Sheymon Moraes (11-4) at featherweight.
PFL 1 Main Card:
- Clay Collard def. Anthony Pettis via unanimous decision (29-27 x2, 29-28) – earns 3 points in the lightweight standings.
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385791732462362626
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385790205727289348
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385789712678494209
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385789534370140161
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385788001821802505
- Marcin Held def. Natan Schulte via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) – earns 3 points in the lightweight standings
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385785006702874626
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385783224773890049
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385782703602212873
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385780777569378304
- Movlid Khaybulaev def. Lazar Stojadinovic via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) – earns 3 points in the featherweight standings
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385774104763158531
- Bubba Jenkins def. Lance Palmer via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) – earns 3 points in the featherweight standings
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385768696677814272
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385765841816408064
PFL 1 Prelims:
- Brendan Loughnane def. Sheymon Moraes via KO (punches) at 2:55 of Round 1 – earns 6 points in the featherweight standings
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385753715878076416
- Raush Manfio def. Joilton Lutterbach via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) – earns 3 points in the lightweight standings
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385748660986728448
- Akhmet Aliev def. Mikhail Odintsov via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) – earns 3 points in the lightweight standings
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385738814396768263
- Chris Wade def. Anthony Dizy via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) – earns 3 points in the featherweight standings
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385735237796237312
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385731718729015296
- Tyler Diamond def. Sung Bin Jo via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) – earns 3 points in the featherweight standings
Tyler Diamond bounces back and may have just stolen the 3rd round! We go to the judges… pic.twitter.com/ci3j4H8vue
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385725166664159233
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385722835323269122
- Alex Martinez def. Loik Radzhabov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) – earns 3 points in lightweight standings
https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1385717173801345024
Who do you think will win between Anthony Pettis and Clay Collard in the main event of PFL 1? Let us know in the comment section, PENN Nation!