In a highly anticipated lightweight semifinal matchup at PFL (Professional Fighters League), Clay Collard secured a unanimous decision victory over Shane Burgos, advancing to his first PFL championship match. The fight took place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden and delivered an action-packed contest that is likely to be remembered as one of the best of 2023.
Collard's victory came with unanimous scores of 29-28 after three intense rounds of back-and-forth action. Despite the win, Collard was visibly worn out by the end of the bout, as Burgos targeted his lead left leg with low kicks throughout the fight. The victory earns Collard a spot in the championship match against 2022 lightweight champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier.
Burgos, who was considered one of PFL's most-prized free agent acquisitions, entered the fight with a subpar year, going 1-1 during the regular season and making the playoffs due to a suspension of another fighter. He had never suffered a loss in his native state of New York but faced a tough challenge against Collard.
Collard, hailing from Utah, had previously fallen short of the PFL finals in the past two years, experiencing decision losses that he felt were unjust. This victory marks his successful journey to the championship match.
In another semifinal matchup, Canada's Olivier Aubin-Mercier secured his spot in the finals with a second-round TKO victory over Bruno Miranda. The PFL finals are scheduled to take place on November 24 in Washington, D.C., where Collard will face Aubin-Mercier in the lightweight championship bout.