Clay Collard is very much enjoying what the PFL brings to MMA, but that doesn’t mean he thinks the system is perfect.
The veteran lightweight fighter is all for the unique season format and points system that comes with fighting under the PFL banner, contrary to the traditional matchmaking model for most promotions. Yet, despite the politics being somewhat stripped out of the PFL, Collard doesn’t fully agree with the allocation of points throughout the season.
“I think two wins should outweigh a knockout just because it’s win-win (vs.) win-loss,” Collard told MMA Junkie Radio. “In my opinion, two wins should outweigh the one win, because anybody can get lucky and catch somebody. It takes more to win (twice), you know. That I kind of have a question with.
“Other than that, I do like the point system. I like that there are no politics. The only problem people and I have to watch out for is the judges.”
It doesn’t happen often, but if there’s a tie at the end of a PFL season, the fighter that qualifies is determined by head-to-head – meaning if one has lost to the other previously in the season. And if they haven’t, the fighter with the most finishes goes through, something Collard doesn’t agree with.
Collard (22-10) returns to the cage this Friday at 2023 PFL 6 at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta. He takes on Stevie Ray (25-12). The main card of the PFL event airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.
Ray currently has zero points after losing his first bout of the season. The Scottish fighter needs a first-round finish if he wants to keep stay alive to potentially qualify for the playoffs.
Collard, who has three points, is well aware of the position his opponent finds himself in, but he isn’t intimidated by the urgency Ray should bring.
“Zero points, so he’s definitely going to be coming at me,” Collard said. “I’m a durable guy. I’m hard to finish. I’m hard to put away. I think my skill set is better than his. We’re looking for the finish, we’re looking for the six points, and I’m not really worried about that, you know. He’s locked in that cage with me.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 6.
