Collard: Pettis Won’t Be Guida’d In PFL Opener

Former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has been taken down a staggering 45 times in his UFC career, which started with five takedowns in his debut loss to Clay Guida at TUF 13 Finale all the way back in June 2011.

While that might sound like the blueprint to canceling “Showtime,” fellow UFC export Clay Collard won’t be wasting time with his wrestling game when they lock horns in the PFL 2021 season opener on April 23 in Atlantic City.

“No, I’m gonna go out there and fight my fight,” Collard told reporters at today’s PFL media day. “If it goes there, I’m prepared, but everybody knows what I like to do and that’s punch people in the face. I’m trying to punch Anthony in the face. Don’t blink, we could very easily be seeing knockouts.”

Collard (18-8, 1 NC), who holds a professional boxing record of 9-4 with four knockouts, is coming off back-to-back wins over Randall Wallace and Lucas Montoya on the regional circuit. “Cassius” has now won four of his last five and looks to parlay that success into a lightweight championship — and $1 million prize — later this year.

“I want to set the tone for the tournament,” Collard continued. “I think a lot of them aren’t worried about me and I’m planning to show that they should be worried and have a statement win. I want to face the toughest guys there are and I’m excited I get Anthony Pettis first.”

The PFL tourney gets underway on April 23 on ESPN 2.