Clay Collard secures his spot in the PFL championship with a thrilling victory over Shane Burgos. Read more about this intense lightweight main event and the upcoming finals.
Clay Collard and Shane Burgos put on a show in a lightweight main event at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Collard emerged victorious with a unanimous decision, earning his spot in the PFL championship match.
Collard (24-10) showcased his skills and determination in a highly anticipated 155-pound semifinal matchup. Despite Burgos’ (16-5) best efforts, Collard’s relentless pace and strategic approach proved to be the difference.
The fight was a back-and-forth battle, with both fighters displaying their striking prowess and grappling abilities. Collard’s lead left leg took a beating from Burgos’ low kicks, but he continued to press forward.
After three intense rounds, the judges scored the fight unanimously in favor of Collard, with all three scores reading 29-28. The victory sets up a showdown between Collard and 2022 lightweight champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier (20-5) in the finals.
Collard’s journey to the championship has been a challenging one. In previous years, he fell short of reaching the PFL finals, suffering decision losses that he believed were unjust. However, this year, Collard has shown tremendous growth and resilience, earning his spot in the title fight.
Burgos, on the other hand, had a tough year leading up to the main event. Despite being a highly sought-after free agent, he struggled during the PFL’s regular season and barely made it to the playoffs. His performance in the third round showcased his heart and determination, but it wasn’t enough to secure the victory.
In the welterweight division, Sadibou Sy (16-6-2) and Magomed Magomedkerimov (33-6) also punched their tickets to the finals. Sy earned a split decision victory over Carlos Leal, while Magomedkerimov secured a unanimous decision win over Solomon Renfro.
The PFL finals are set to take place on November 24 in Washington, D.C. It promises to be an electrifying night of fights as the top fighters in the league battle it out for the championship titles.
Fight Results
| Fighter | Result | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Clay Collard | Unanimous Decision | Shane Burgos |
| Sadibou Sy | Split Decision | Carlos Leal |
| Magomed Magomedkerimov | Unanimous Decision | Solomon Renfro |
