A lightweight headliner between Jeremy Stephens and Clay Collard is taking place now (Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2022) at 2022 PFL 1.
Round 1
Stephens is landing early. Collard is trading as well. Stephens lands an uppercut. Collard lands a hook. Collard is having success, but Stephens is still throwing back while shelling up. Stephens lands a couple of leg kicks, but eats a counter. Stephens connects with a body kick and follows it up with a right hand. Stephens connects with a check hook but Collard continues to eat strikes. The fight is paused after a clash of heads. The fight resumes and they continue swinging. They start firing away in the pocket. Stephens complains of a head butt but the action continues. Collard lands a number of body shots. Stephens is looking slightly overwhelmed but responds with a leg kick. Collard lands a right. Collard shoots but Stephens defends. Collard continues to put the pressure but is eating check hooks from Stephens while doing so. Collard rips the body and adds a knee for good measure. They end the round clinching each other.
Round 2
Collard starts off with jabs. Stephens attacks the body with a kick. Stephens continues to eat body shots. They continue to trade and eat shots. Collard blitzes but only lands a leg kick. Stephens lands a huge overhand right! Collard is still standing and throwing strikes back. Collard resumes his body attack. Stephens clinches Collard, but Collard eventually separates. Collard is ramping up the volume but eats a big shot from Stephens! Collard shoots and gets Stephens down. Stephens back to his feet and separates. Collard lands a combo. Both fighters are slowing down a bit but still throwing. Stephens lands a right and stuffs a takedown attempt soon after. The second round ends in a clinch.
Round 3
Both fighters exchange leg kicks. They continue to throw shots much like the rest of the fight which has been a total war. Collard lands a combination and continues to rip the body. Stephens lands a huge right in the pocket but Collard continues to display a great chin and throw strikes back. Collard trips Stephens and walks away. Stephens has Collard backed up against the fence and starts to unload. Stephens shoots. Collard defends and they return to striking. Collard starts to break dance. He misses a spinning wheel kick soon after. Stephens starts to swing and lands a spinning elbow to end the round. What a slugfest!
Official Result: Clay Collard defeats Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Check out the highlights below:
First big shot of the fight lands for @LiLHeathenMMA!#2022PFL1 LIVE on ESPN & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomkWj8 pic.twitter.com/qHXEkPCwKi— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 21, 2022
Collard & Stephens are trading shots in the center of the SmartCage! #2022PFL1 LIVE on ESPN & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomkWj8 pic.twitter.com/HE52r9MLuD— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 21, 2022
THE CROWD IS LOVING THIS FIGHT!#2022PFL1 LIVE on ESPN & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomkWj8 pic.twitter.com/ggQxXwk02E— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 21, 2022
First round goes down just as advertised!🔥🔥🔥#2022PFL1 LIVE on ESPN & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomkWj8 pic.twitter.com/7wYcXouOMf— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 21, 2022
This is INSANE! Neither fighter backing down#2022PFL1 LIVE on ESPN & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomkWj8 pic.twitter.com/OCOIufoMxw— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 21, 2022
30-27 on all the judges scorecards and Clay Collard moves on with 3 points in the lightweight standings!#2022PFL1 pic.twitter.com/S5JEUqBpMp
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 21, 2022
