Near submissions help lead Alex Martinez to a victory over Clay Collard in the PFL 4 main event, clinching Martinez a spot in the postseason and ending Collard’s 2022 PFL campaign
Alex Martinez will once again have a shot at becoming PFL lightweight champion, thanks to pulling off an upset, but controversial, decision win over Clay Collard at PFL 4.
As a result of his win, Martinez is guaranteed a spot in the lightweight portion of the 2022 PFL playoffs, while Collard’s season is over.
Martinez’s seed in the postseason tournament will be determined after Anthony Pettis and Stevie Ray clash at PFL 5 next week.
MARTINEZ LOCKS IN A CHOKE! COLLARD SURVIVES! THE CROWD IS ON THEIR FEET#2022PFL4 pic.twitter.com/1GsWfV42IZ
Collard looked to get off on a hot start with strong combinations, but Martinez made him eat a hard punch to keep him at bay. Collard got after Martinez’s body with several boxing combinations, and it seemed to be getting to Martinez. Collard took Martinez down twice in the opening round, though Martinez ended the round on top.
Collard continued to work over the body in the second round, though Martinez came after Collard and pressure him for his grappling. Collard dropped Martinez with a straight in the round, and while Martinez scrambled more than once, Collard followed him around. Collard attempted to lock in an armbar, but Martinez escaped and locked into a dominant position. Martinez managed to lock Collard in a rear-naked choke and nearly got the submission, but Collard managed to escape.
Collard looked to get back on the right track in the final frame, but he found himself in trouble again courtesy of an arm-triangle choke and a guillotine from Martinez. It was a highly successful round for Martinez thanks to his superior grappling.
All three judges scored the bout 29-28, with two of the awarding the bout to Martinez to give him the split-decision nod.
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