The upcoming PFL 5 event will feature a lightweight showdown between Clay Collard and Mads Burnell on Friday, June 21, at 4:30 PM ET at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Collard should perform well in front of a home crowd, giving him an edge. Collard is the moneyline favorite at -330.
Collard recently ended a two-fight losing streak when he defeated Patricky Freire at PFL 2 in April earlier this year. This was a surprise, especially after losing against A.J. McKee and Olivier Aubin-Mercier in the two fights prior.
His fighting profile so far shows 25 wins, 12 knockouts, three submissions, and 10 decisions. He has accumulated nine first-round finishes and seven of his 12 losses came by decision.
"Cassius" did not start well in the UFC, going 1-3 out of four fights. However, he has improved in his career and has a solid 7-4 record in the PFL.
According to the world rankings, Collard is currently the 70th-best MMA lightweight fighter. This bodes well for his chances at success, especially if he can continue his winning streak against respectable opponents.
Burnell's two-fight win streak was snapped in his most recent fight. He was defeated by Michael Dufort in a second-round guillotine submission, which shows that he is weaker when up against good wrestlers.
Looking at his 18 wins, he typically extends a fight a little longer. He has one knockout, nine submissions, and eight decisions so far. In total, he has eight wins that have been defeated.
He has found his groove with Bellator, where he is currently 5-2. However, to get the results he is looking for, he must aim for more consistency in the octagon.
He has yet to be ranked in the world rankings, but he has an opportunity to rise through them quickly. A win here would open the door, but he will need to land more submission attempts and stay active.
MyBookie has the odds for the Clay Collard vs. Mads Burnell showdown, with Collard moderately favored to succeed. His great fighting profile has prepared him for this moment. Can Collard keep the fight standing, or will this need to be decided at the end?
While Burnell is arguably a better grappler and well-equipped to take the fight in that direction, Collard will likely pick him apart later in the fight. Look to add him to a parlay with other fights or choose a prop bet on the over 2.5 rounds.
