Two of the most electrifying fighters in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) clashed in a lightweight main event at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. The showdown between Clay Collard and Shane Burgos promised an intense battle, and it certainly delivered. The thrilling fight ended with Collard securing a unanimous decision victory and booking his place in the PFL championship match.
Collard’s Determination Shines Through
Clay Collard, with a record of 24-10, showcased his determination and grit in the match against Burgos. Despite Burgos’ relentless leg kicks that left Collard struggling to stand by the end of the bout, Collard managed to hold his ground and secure the victory. The 30-year-old fighter will now have the opportunity to compete for his first-ever PFL championship title.
Shane Burgos, PFL’s prized acquisition in 2023, faced disappointment in this highly anticipated matchup. Although he had an impressive record coming into the fight, with no losses in his native state of New York, Burgos struggled against Collard. Despite a valiant effort in the third round, rallying after being knocked down in the second, Burgos couldn’t do enough to sway the judges’ decision. The loss brought Burgos’ record in the PFL to 1-2 since joining after a successful stint in the UFC.
2023 proves to be a redemptive year for Collard, who fell short of reaching the PFL finals in the previous two seasons. Convinced that he had done enough to win in 2021 and 2022, Collard found himself on the wrong side of the judges’ decision on both occasions. However, his relentless pursuit of victory paid off this time, and he will now have the chance to prove himself as the rightful PFL lightweight champion.
Collision Course: Collard vs. Aubin-Mercier
Collard’s triumph over Burgos sets the stage for an exciting championship match against Olivier Aubin-Mercier, the 2022 lightweight champion. Aubin-Mercier advanced to the finals with a second-round TKO victory over Bruno Miranda. The clash between Collard and Aubin-Mercier promises to be a battle for the ages and will decide the fate of the PFL lightweight division.
The PFL semifinals also featured intense matchups in the welterweight division. Sadibou Sy, the 2022 champion, secured his spot in the finals with a split decision victory over Carlos Leal. Magomed Magomedkerimov, the 2018 champion, claimed his place in the championship match with a dominant unanimous decision win over Solomon Renfro. These fighters will now face off in the finals alongside Collard and Aubin-Mercier on November 24th in Washington, D.C.
With the culmination of the PFL season drawing near, excitement continues to build for the upcoming finals. Fans eagerly await the clash between Collard and Aubin-Mercier, as well as the welterweight showdown between Sy and Magomedkerimov. The PFL has showcased tremendous talent throughout the season, and the finals are expected to deliver high-stakes, action-packed fights that will leave a lasting impact on the sport of mixed martial arts.
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