Preview: PFL 2 2024

Lightweight

Clay Collard (24-12, 6-4 UFC) vs. Patricky Freire (25-12, 0-0 PFL)

ODDS: Collard (-200), Freire (+160)

This fight may not be the main event, but it has all the ingredients to produce fireworks. Since signing with PFL in 2021, Collard has become one of the faces of the organization. His high-octane, boxing-heavy style has made him a fan favorite and an early pick to win the tournament. Collard has made it to the PFL playoffs two out of three years and has yet to claim the grand prize. He came close last season before Olivier Aubin-Mercier dashed his dreams at the 2023 PFL Championships, but now that the Canadian judoka has retired, there should be nobody left in Collard’s way, right? Wrong. The lightweight division is more loaded than ever, thanks to the new talent acquired in the Bellator acquisition. Collard failed to handle one of Bellator’s top dogs, A.J. McKee, so how will he deal with a “Pitbull”? Even at 38, Freire still has some bite left in him. The 38-year-old former Bellator lightweight kingpin is itching to face some new competition after feasting on Bellator’s best for over a decade. Freire’s shared the cage with the who’s who of lightweight royalty, including Michael Chandler, Eddie Alvarez and Benson Henderson. He has won and lost a lot, but he never was out of a fight. Collard-Freire is the type of matchup fans dreamed about when PFL first bought Bellator. A fighter like Collard will give “Pitbull” everything he wants and vice-versa. Collard was disappointed that McKee took him out with an armbar back in February, and the pressure is on to snap a two-fight skid. Freire, who has lost two of his last three, also needs a win. A record is nothing but a number; these two warriors are more than just a win-loss ratio. Both fighters have 28 knockouts between them but have also been knocked out. It comes with the territory when you are a fighter willing to go out on his shield.

This could be one of the most exciting bouts of the regular season. Freire carries more power in his compact 5-foot-7 frame, but Collard’s four-inch advantage will even the playing field. Collard is seven years younger and is making a quick turnaround after suffering minor damage in his loss to McKee. At the same time, Freire has not fought since his loss to Alexander Shabliy last November. Staying active in this case could benefit Collard, especially early. While Collard’s reach and boxing skills are impressive, he is hittable, and Freire is not someone you want to be cracked by. Collard could likely outland and outbox Freire for stretches of the fight, but “Pitbull” could end his night instantly. If Collard stays on his feet, his activity and accuracy could be the difference in a tight decision.

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