Former WEC and UFC lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis, made an unsuccessful debut under the PFL banner, suffering a surprise defeat to former UFC fighter Clay Collard, who went on to fight with more than five underdogs.
Clay Collard, who has 16 fights in professional boxing, overwhelmed his star compatriot Antoni Petis with his striking power, taking the victory by unanimous decision with a score of 29-28 and 29-27 twice in three rounds.
LETS GOOOOO#2021PFL1
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Clay Collard bringing the fight to Anthony Pettis in the second round!#2021PFL1
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In the second round, Collard gave his opponent a real beating and was close to an early victory, however, referee Gary Copeland gave Showtime a chance, who not only managed to hold out until the break, but in the final five minutes almost snatched the victory, knocking the opponent down with his trademark kick to the head. However, Pettis was unable to show the qualities of a finisher, and Collard quickly came to his senses, having won the fight and taking into the piggy bank the first three points in the PFL lightweight grand prix.
Clay Collard drops Pettis in the 2nd round!!!!#2021PFL1
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Clay Collard gets a 2nd knockdown!!! Can Pettis survive the 2nd round?!?!#2021PFL1
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HEAD KICK FOLLOWED BY A FLYING KNEE FROM PETTIS!!!#2021PFL1
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Doubt him now! Clay Collard spoils the PFL debut of Anthony Pettis!!! Congratulations Clay! pic.twitter.com/IzWOZTWVuG
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 24, 2021
In the second most important event of the tournament, the author of another sensation was the Pole Marcin Held, who won by unanimous decision of the two-time PFL lightweight champion Nathan Schulte.
Marcin Held secures a takedown but Natan recovers… we go to the 3rd round#2021PFL1
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Two grappling specialists put on a striking clinic all 3 rounds! We go to the judges…#2021PFL1
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Other results of the event include the successful performances of Russians Movlid Khaibulaev and Akhmed Aliyev. Khaibulaev defeated American Lazar Stoyadinovich three times in the featherweight category with a score of 30-27, and Aliyev in the light weight category with a score of 29-28 three times defeated Belarusian Mikhail Odintsov. Both recorded three points each.
Huge Shots by Movlid in the first round!#2021PFL1
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BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX by Akhmed Aliev early in the 1st round!#2021PFL1
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HUGE RIGHT TO END THE 1st ROUND! Aliev is in control heading into the second round…#2021PFL1
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The only fighter to win an early victory with six points was featherweight Brendan Loughnane, who knocked out Sheymon Moraes in the first round.
FIRST KO OF THE 2021 PFL SEASON! BRENDAN LOUGHNANE NOW HOLDS THE TOP SPOT IN THE FEATHERWEIGHT STANDINGS!#2021PFL1
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