Originally published at PFL season opener highlighted by Clay Collard over Jeremy Stephens
The PFL kicked off its season on Wednesday night featuring the promotional debut of Jeremy Stephens in the main event.
The 35-year-old, who fought for the UFC for the past fourteen years, had a terrific fight with Clay Collard in the lightweight main event where Collard won by unanimous decision.
THE CROWD IS LOVING THIS FIGHT!#2022PFL1 LIVE on ESPN & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomkWj8 pic.twitter.com/ggQxXwk02E— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 21, 2022
The fight was being heralded online as a ‘fight of the year’ candidate as the two went the distance and Collard received 30-27 scores from the three judges.
The win gives Collard three points in the lightweight tournament while Stephens remains winless going back to February 2018.
2021 lightweight tournament winner Raush Manfio received four points for his third-round TKO victory against Don Madge with the finishing coming at 2:42 of the final round.
After being down on the scorecards, @RaushManfio pulled off a MASSIVE 3rd round KO!
Knockout of the Night B2YB @budlight #2022PFL1 pic.twitter.com/8KIRdReV66
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 21, 2022
Antonio Carlos Junior hit the maximum six points for a first-round submission of Delan Monte. Carlos Junior won the light heavyweight tournament last season and is undefeated since joining the PFL with a record of 4-0 with 1 no-contest.
28 Second D'Arce Choke for @caradesapatojr!
6 Points and Shoeface is back on TOP of the light heavyweight division standings!#2022PFL1 LIVE on ESPN & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomkWj8 pic.twitter.com/VNPKQuXcEa— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 21, 2022
The main card began with Olivier Aubin-Mercier earning a split decision victory against Natan Schulte and grabbing three points in the lightweight tournament.
Below are the complete results from Thursday’s season opener:
*Clay Collard def. Jeremy Stephens (30-27 all)
*Raush Manfio def. Don Madge by TKO at 2:42 of Round 3
*Antonio Carlos Junior def. Delan Monte by submission at 0:29 of Round 1
*Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Natan Schulte by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
*Cory Hendricks def. Emiliano Sordi by TKO at 2:13 of Round 2
*Alexander Martinez def. Stevie Ray by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
*Marthin Hamlet def. Teodoras Aukstuolis by unanimous decision (30-27 all)
*Omari Akhmedov def. Viktor Pesta by KO at 1:25 of Round 1
*Rob Wilkinson def. Bruce Souto by TKO at 0:46 of Round 2
*Simeon Powell def. Clinton Williams by KO at 4:38 of Round 3
WHAT A NIGHT!
Here are your Lightweight & Light Heavyweight standings following #2022PFL1!
B2YB @nxtlvlbrands pic.twitter.com/0vz4qqyc29
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 21, 2022