Clay Collard returned to action Friday at PFL Hollywood, taking on Brent Primus in yet another post-season appearance for “Cassius” Clay.
Collard had made the most season in 2021, and in 2023 went to the final only to come up short against Olivier Aubin-Mercier. On Friday, he looked to punch his ticket to the final for a second straight year against former Bellator lightweight champ Brent Primus.
In what on paper was a wrestler (Primus) versus striker (Collard) match-up, Clay was clearly cognizant of the takedown threat. He worked from the outside accordingly, but Primus eventually trapped him against the fence. He’d work for a takedown and wind up taking the back as the pair moved back to center, Collard carrying his opponent’s weight.
Round two saw a nearly identical scene unfold, with Primus again scaling the back, this time near the fence. Collard had been bloodied care of a cut by the eye, while Primus battered him with right hands. While his corner urged him to “look for the sub” Primus instead stayed on the ground n’ pound, tenderizing Collard further. With a minute left on the clock, it became of a matter of whether Clay Collard could survive the round. He would, by the skin of his teeth.
Collard had to contend with more of the wrestling of Brent Primus in round three, much to the displeasure of the Florida crowd. And once again, Primus scaled the back, Collard carrying him like a backpack. This time, Primus started to slide off and Collard slammed him down. Collard backed off, firing an axe kick to the midsection before doing so. As Primus re-engaged, Collard ripped a body shot, then fired a kick to the midsection to follow it up. Another punch would back up Primus. Collard fanned on a spinning back fist, and Primus took advantage to tie things up. He’d eventually take the back again, getting Collard down and locking on a body triangle. The finish would not come for Brent Primus, but the win would, in a fight that was anything but crowd-pleasing.
Primus apologized for the “boring” fight afterwards, adding “I had to win this, he’s a tough, tough dude in stand-up.”
Official Result: Brent Primus def. Clay Collard by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
