Clay Collard Punches Ticket to PFL Championship Following Instant Classic with Shane Burgos – PFL Playoffs Results (Highlights)

Collard is headed to the PFL Championship after surviving a three round war with Shane Burgos at the PFL Playoffs

Written by Craig Pekios
Last updated on August 24th, 2023
Clay Collard
Courtesy of @PFLMMA on Twitter

On Wednesday night, the PFL Playoffs returned to The Theater at Madison Square Garden for another round of semi-final contests.

In the main event of the evening, former UFC standout Shane Burgos made his third appearance inside the Smart Cage against the lightweight division favorite, Clay Collard. The winner will move on to the PFL Championship where they will compete for the $1 million grand prize. The loser will go home and begin preparing to make another run in 2024. 

Who came out on top and moved one step closer to cashing the million-dollar check in NYC? 

Round 1

Burgos comes out and takes control of the cage, putting on pressure and landing a couple of quick inside low kicks. Collard fires a two-punch combo followed by a low kick of his own. A right hand lands upstairs for Collard. Looking to follow up, Collard overswings and Burgos is able to drag him to the ground. Collard pops back up as Burgos pushes him to the fence. They separate as Collard lands a couple of solid hits to the body. 

Collard looks to overwhelm Burgos with his volume. Burgos lands a short left that takes Collard off balance. A straight right to Collard’s torso takes him off his feet momentarily. Burgos goes back to the leg kicks in an attempt to keep Collard at bay, but Collard remains relentless in his pursuit, attacking the body of Burgos. An inside low kick from Burgos nearly takes Collard off his feet. 

A jab from Collard lands, followed by a 1-2, and a leg kick. Left from Collard lands and has Burgos on the retreat in the closing sends of the round. Collard ends the round peppering Burgos with body shots against the fence. 

Round 2

Burgos comes out with a push kick. Burgos goes on the attack early, but Collard is able to back him up with his left hand. 1-2 from Collard lands clean. Burgos attacks the leg of Collard again, but it’s doing nothing to slow the attack of Collard at this point. Burgos is backed against the fence as Collard continues to put his superior boxing skills on display. Burgos is now bleeding from his nose. 

An inside leg kick from Collard lands. Collard responds with a straight left that lands. Another left from Collard lands. A left hook from Collard hits the mark as Burgos continues to stand his ground and attack the leg. Another calf kick from Burgos sends Collard crashing to the canvas. Collard bounces back up and responds with a massive left hook that puts Burgos on the mat. 

Collard jumps on his opponent and continues to drop some ground and pound strikes. Burgos rolls out of danger and back onto his feet, pushing Collard up against the fence. Nearly taking Collard’s back, Burgos works for a takedown but is unable to complete it and opts to let Collard go as the round comes to a close. 

Round 3

Burgos resumes attacking the leg of Collard right out of the gate. Collard begins to show a little showmanship and eats a stiff body shot from Burgos for his trouble. Both men are choosing to stand in a phone booth and throw hands, but Burgos appears to be gaining on his opponent. Burgos throws another calf kick. Collard’s leg is clearly compromised, prompting Collard to shoot for a takedown. Burgos defends easily and lands a big right hand.

Collard is slowing as Burgos continues to mix up his strikes. Collard again overswings and gives up his back to Burgos, but is able to separate himself from Burgos against the fence. Calf kick from Burgos lands. Collard utilizes his head movement, but it’s all Burgos in the third round. Nasty inside leg kick lands for Burgos. The right hand from Collard connects. With ten seconds left, both men stand and trade to the final bell. 

Official Result: Clay Collard def. Shane Burgos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

With his victory over Shane Burgos, Clay Collard will face Magomed Magomedkerimov at the PFL Championship in November. 

Check Out Highlights From Clay Collard vs. Shane Burgos at the PFL Playoffs Below:

 

Published on August 23, 2023 at 11:54 pm
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Craig Pekios

Craig Pekios
Covering the world of Mixed Martial Arts since 2012. Providing the latest news, picks, scores, results, and commentary on the world of MMA.

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