PFL 4: Collard vs. Martinez Main Card Preview

PFL 4: Collard vs. Martinez Main Card Preview

Abdullah Ouazri|
June 17, 2022|
0

The PFL brings the action to the great city of Atlanta, Georgia with a banger of a card showcasing the return of the most electrifying fighter in the league, Clay Collard. He takes on an always game Alexander Martinez in hopes of advancing closer to the cash prize of $1 million. In the co-main event, heralded submission artist Antonio Carlos Junior meets Bruce Souto, a man on a mission to rebound from a recent defeat and continue his winning ways.

Let's take a closer look at the main card of PFL 4: Collard vs. Martinez.

Clay Collard vs. Alexander Martinez

The most exciting fighter under the banner of the Professional Fighters League has a name, and that name is Clay Collard (21-9). Possessing dynamite in his hands, and carrying a heavy boxing style, Collard has seen it all. From a UFC career spanning 2 years, to a wealth of experience in boxing, he's fought the likes of Max Holloway and Gabriel Benitez on his eventual path to the PFL.

Alex Martinez (9-2) is a wrecking machine who'd be damned if he didn't give it his all every fight. Coming off of a big win against UFC veteran Stevie Ray, he's got his eyes on the prize and has no intention of letting any man stand in his way.

The predictions are not close for this fight, with nearly 85% of the Verdict Community predicting Clay Collard to win.

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Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Bruce Souto

Undefeated since his UFC departure, 2021 PFL champion Antonio Carlos Junior (14-5) is nothing short of a grappling wizard. Securing 3 first round submissions in his last 4 wins, he is coming off of a D'Arce choke against Delan Monte that took only 29 seconds to lock up. He's looked unstoppable on his way to the $1 million prize.

The man who aims to stop him though, is Bruce Souto (15-4). Looking to bounce back from a TKO loss to Rob Wilkinson, Souto has never been more motivated. Souto was riding a 9-fight win streak into his last bout, and is determined to build an even more impressive resume, starting with a win against his toughest challenge yet this Friday.

The Verdict Community does not give him much of a chance though, with approximately 84% predicting Carlos Junior to win, most commonly by submission in the first round.

Raush Manfio vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier

Riding a 5-fight winning streak, capped off by a stunning KO in his last outing vs. Don Madge, Raush Manfio (16-3) is looking to put on another stunning performance. The Brazilian became the 2021 PFL Lightweight Champion with wins over Anthony Pettis, Clay Collard, and Loik Radzhabov. Although he has continued to prove the doubters wrong, Raush finds himself in the familiar underdog position heading his next fight.

The man favored to defeat him is Olivier Aubin-Mercier (14-5). Aubin-Mercier has put together a 3-fight wining streak that last saw him grind out a win over Natan Schulte. He possesses incredible experience, having fought UFC stars like Gilbert Burns, Arman Tsarukyan, Carlos Diego Ferreira, and Drew Dober. He looks to put that to use this Friday in an attempt to advance one step closer to the PFL finals.

Although it's the closest fight on the main card, he is still heavily favored to defeat Raush Manfio with almost 70% of the Verdict community predicting him to win.

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Jeremy Stephens vs. Myles Price

The hardest hitting 145'er on the planet, Jeremy Stephens (28-20 1 NC), enters this bout looking to correct a 6-fight skid that has seen him lose only to top tier competition such as Jose Aldo, Zabit Magomedsharipov, and Clay Collard. Stephens has been a pro since 2005, and is far from being done. During his illustrious UFC career, he picked up wins against Rafael Dos Anjos, Renan Barao, Josh Emmett, and many more. Battle tested and proven, Stephens will try to make it a quick night at the office against Myles Price at PFL 4.

A man who's ready for a long night at the office is his opponent, Myles Price (11-8). Price is a competitor through and through, his last win coming against Bellator title challenger Peter Quealy. He returns to acton after a quick triangle choke submission loss to Anthony Pettis, and will try to earn the biggest win of his career.

Although he is not the biggest underdog this Friday, he is still heavily favored against by the Verdict Community, with only about 80% predicting him to lose.

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