PFL 4 Preview: Clay Collard headlines as lightweights and light heavyweights take center stage

Tonight the PFL will return for their fourth card of the year. Lightweights and light heavyweights will take center stage with the main event featuring a lightweight contest between Clay Collard (21-9) and Alex Martinez (9-2).

Both men are coming off impressive wins in their PFL season opener. For Collard, he took on UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens (28-20) in his first matchup. It was a very entertaining war that ended with Collard picking up the decision win.

That same night, Alex Martinez got a fight with Stevie Ray. In that fight, Martinez was able to pick up the decision win. Both men are needing a big win tonight to potentially secure a spot in the PFL playoffs. I’m expecting fireworks in this one.

Speaking of Jeremy Stephens, there was some controversy with him yesterday. Stephens had to shave his beard and head to make the lightweight limit. In addition, he looked like he wasn’t fully stepping on the scale when weighing in.

Nevertheless, he was said to have made weight and his fight will go on. He will be taking on Ireland’s Myles Price (11-8) in the main card opener. Both Price and Stephens lost their season opener so whoever wins needs a big performance to try and get into the PFL playoffs.

Light Heavyweights in Action at PFL 4

2021 PFL light heavyweight champion Antonio Carlos Junior (14-5) will compete in the co-main event. He will be taking on fellow Brazilian Bruce Souto (15-4). Souto was knocked out in his first appearance of the season while Carlos Junior won by submission in less than 30 seconds.

All eyes are on the defending PFL champion to get another big win tonight. Another light heavyweight matchup to watch is the featured prelim between Omari Akhmedov (22-7-1) and Teodoras Aukstuolis (11-6).

Akhmedov is a former top UFC middleweight contender. He decided to compete in PFL’s light heavyweight division and looked strong in his season debut. He will look to continue that momentum tonight.

Another big fight to watch is defending PFL lightweight champion Raush Manfio (16-3) taking on Olivier Aubin-Mercier (14-5). Manfio kicked off his season with a stoppage win over Don Mage while Aubin-Mercier defeated former PFL champ Natan Schulte.

The full PFL 4 card can be viewed below.