Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis came up short in his Professional Fighters League (PFL) debut last night (Fri., Apr. 23, 2021) at PFL 1 live on ESPN2 from inside Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J., when “Showtime” lost to former UFC fighter Clay Collard via unanimous decision in the main event.
Despite coming in as a massive favorite Pettis failed to deliver when it mattered most. Collard was on him from the opening bell and “Showtime” seemed to have trouble dealing with the pressure. Collard even scored two knockdowns in the second round and the fight was nearly waved off.
Pettis needed a finish in the third round to walk away with the win. The former UFC champion launched a hail mary head kick and flying knee that temporarily rocked Collard with one minute left, but “Showtime” couldn’t put the comeback together. It was impressive to see Pettis stomach all of the punishment he did over the course of three rounds, but Collard ultimately walked away with the upset.
Check out the video highlights below courtesy of PFL:
ITS SHOWTIME!!#2021PFL1
LIVE NOW ESPN2
https://t.co/T11Ogp2ycR pic.twitter.com/Q6AADibBLs— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 24, 2021
LETS GOOOOO#2021PFL1
LIVE NOW ESPN2
https://t.co/T11Ogp2ycR pic.twitter.com/E5JEDGlUI5— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 24, 2021
Clay Collard bringing the fight to Anthony Pettis in the second round!#2021PFL1
LIVE NOW ESPN2
https://t.co/T11Ogp2ycR pic.twitter.com/Rcq0zlbWDk— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 24, 2021
Clay Collard drops Pettis in the 2nd round!!!!#2021PFL1
LIVE NOW ESPN2
https://t.co/T11Ogp2ycR pic.twitter.com/nFULFBsPBT— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 24, 2021
Clay Collard gets a 2nd knockdown!!! Can Pettis survive the 2nd round?!?!#2021PFL1
LIVE NOW ESPN2
https://t.co/T11Ogp2ycR pic.twitter.com/IDS9fOS5rV— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 24, 2021
HEAD KICK FOLLOWED BY A FLYING KNEE FROM PETTIS!!!#2021PFL1
LIVE NOW ESPN2
https://t.co/T11Ogp2ycR pic.twitter.com/jW9FDCUKFK— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 24, 2021
Doubt him now! Clay Collard spoils the PFL debut of Anthony Pettis!!! Congratulations Clay! pic.twitter.com/IzWOZTWVuG
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 24, 2021
For complete PFL 1 results and coverage click here.