Clay Collard knows a thing or two about putting on exciting fights.
“I think this is the third year in a row with PFL I’ve been a candidate for Fight of the Year— I’ve only been with PFL for three years. I think I’m doing my job,” Collard (24-10, 1NC) told Cageside Press in a recent exclusive interview, noting that it would be great to actually win the honor one of these years.
“Cassius” Clay (with a nickname like that, you know he’s got hands) put on his most recent FOTY contender against Shane Burgos in August. The bout was not only a thriller, it punched his title for the 2023 PFL lightweight final, where he’ll meet surging Canadian Olivier Aubin-Mercier.
What is it about Collard that sees him engage in such fan-friendly wars? At the end of the day, that’s just his style. “That’s just the type of dude I am, bro. I’m in there trying to finish guys, I’m in there trying to put on shows,” he said. “That’s just who I am. I guess it’s my fighting style. I don’t know. It’s nice, though.”
Ahead of his playoff bout with Burgos, Collard had predicted an OAM win over Bruno Miranda on the other side of the bracket — but didn’t sound thrilled about facing the Canadian. That boils down to the very different style that Aubin-Mercier himself brings to the cage.
“I’m excited for the challenge. I don’t think it’s going to be the most exciting fight. It’s not going to be a Shane Burgos banger I don’t think,” admitted Collard. “But I’m excited for the challenge. I’ve been thinking OAM since the beginning of the year, it’s going to be me and him. I don’t think it’s going to be that crazy banger fight, but it’s a challenge I’m ready and excited for.”
Collard doesn’t appear to be all that impressed by OAM’s recent string of finishes. “Eh. I mean, he beat Stevie Ray, I knocked out Stevie Ray. He knocked out that one dude, they fought, not Bruno [Miranda] but the one before that [Anthony Romero]. That dude wasn’t… they brought him in late too, all of a sudden they’re starting this other random Canadian guy, okay, who the f*ck is he? He got knocked out, okay, we’re not too worried about him anymore. I almost called the, I could have called the Bruno fight. He caught him with a shot, got on top, Bruno couldn’t get away.”
“I think he’s got lucky a little bit knocking a few dudes out. I don’t think he’s some knockout artist, personally.”
There’s a million dollars awaiting the winner of Aubin-Mercier, the defending PFL lightweight champion who has never lost in the promotion, versus Collard, a fellow ex-UFC athlete who has made a career in recent years of defeating the PFL’s biggest free agent acquisitions. Winning the season would mean a lot to the 30-year old, and it’s about more than just the money.
“I’ve been working towards becoming a world champion since I started fighting at the age of 18. Being a world champion is a dream come true for us, and that’s what we’re working towards, is the gold that money can’t buy,” stated Collard. “I want that big shiny belt that you can’t pay for. That would mean more to me than— the money’s nice, don’t get me wrong, I need the money to take care of my family, I’d like to get a bigger house. There’s a lot of things the money’s going to help, but live the rest of my life a world champion? That’s what I’m looking for.”
If all goes well, Collard plans on running through at least another season. That’s both by choice, and because he’s obligated to. “I plan on winning, so if you win, you’ve got to come back,” revealed Collard. “I believe in the contract it states if you win, you’ve got to do another round.”
That’s no problem for Clay Collard, however. “I like fighting often, I like the format. Maybe in a couple years when I’m a little older I might only take one or two fights a year. Maybe they’ll let me do the super-fights then, I don’t know. Why not? If you’re going to do a PPV card, you might as well throw me on it. I’m going to be one of the most exciting fights on the card, I can guarantee that. I’ve showed it time and time and time again.”
Watch our full interview with 2023 PFL Championship lightweight finalist Clay Collard above.
