Clay Collard returning to MMA, faces Anthony Pettis April 23 in PFL

One of 2020’s great boxing heroes is returning to whence he came. Prospect-muncher Clay Collard is officially set to open his PFL season against former WEC and UFC lightweight (155 lbs.) champion Anthony Pettis on April 23rd.

Collard (18-8 MMA, 9-4-3 boxing), a four-fight UFC veteran, switched to boxing full-time in 2019. 2020 proved his breakout year in the ring thanks to upsets of unbeaten Raymond Guajardo and David Kaminsky, and he ultimately amassed five victories in eight months before an unsuccessful rematch against Quincy LaVallais. He was last seen dropping a decision to rising Cuban Maidel Sando this past Saturday.

Even if you’re not much for MMA, Collard vs. Pettis is one to watch. Despite his struggles these past years, Pettis still boats one of the wildest highlight reels in combat sports and regularly engages in the sorts of absolute wars that Collard has made his trademark. There’s no way this doesn’t wind up an absolute slugfest.