Clay Collard

Clay Collard (born March 10, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist and former Professional boxer. A professional since 2011, he formerly competed for the UFC. He currently competes in the lightweight division of the Professional Fighters League.

Background
Collard grew up in Castle Dale, Utah. Collard started wrestling at the age of six, picking up boxing at the age of 11. Collard attended Emery High School, where he lettered in wrestling.

Early career
Collard took his first and only amateur mixed martial arts bout less than two weeks after his 18th birthday. He won the bout via 12-second knockout and subsequently turned professional to fight the next weekend. Collard competed solely in Utah regional circuit, amassing a 13–4 (1 NC) record before being signed to the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Collard made his promotional debut on August 23, 2014 as a short notice replacement against Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night 49, replacing an injured Mirsad Bektic. Collard lost the fight via TKO in the third round.

Collard next faced Alex White on December 6, 2014 at UFC 181. Collard won the fight via unanimous decision.

Collard faced Gabriel Benítez on June 13, 2015 at UFC 188. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Collard was expected to face Andre Fili on September 5, 2015 at UFC 191. However, Fili was forced out of the bout with injury and replaced by Tiago Trator. Collard lost the fight by split decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Collard was expected to headline LFA 75 against Arthur Estrázulas on September 6, 2019 but withdrew from the bout due to a short notice call from the UFC. After four years away from UFC, Collard returned to the promotion and was scheduled to face Devonte Smith on August 17, 2019 at UFC 241 replacing John Makdessi. However, on the fight week news surfaced that Collard withdrew from the fight due to an undisclosed reason and was replaced by promotional newcomer Khama Worthy. Following the ordeal, Collard was released from the promotion again.

Professional Fighters League
In March 2020, Collard signed with Professional Fighters League and competes in the lightweight division. He was expected to participate in the season 2020 but due to COVID-19 pandemic the league cancelled the whole season.

2021 season
Collard made his PFL debut against Anthony Pettis on April 23, 2021 at PFL 1. He won the bout via unanimous decision, out boxing Pettis throughout the bout.

Collard faced Joilton Lutterbach at PFL 4 on June 10, 2021. He won the bout via split decision.

Collard faced Raush Manfio in the semifinals of the Lightweight tournament on August 13, 2021 at PFL 7. Collard lost the bout via unanimous decision.

2022 season
Collard faced Jeremy Stephens on April 20, 2022 at PFL 1. In a back and forth affair, Collard won the bout via unanimous decision.

Collard faced Alexander Martinez on June 17, 2022 at PFL 4. He lost the close bout via split decision.

2023 season
Collard faced Yamato Nishikawa on April 14, 2023 at PFL 3. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Collard faced Stevie Ray on June 23, 2023 at PFL 6. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Collard faced Shane Burgos in the semi-finals of the lightweight tournament on August 23, 2023, at PFL 9. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

In the final, Collard faced Olivier Aubin-Mercier on November 24, 2023 at PFL 10. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

2024 season
Collard faced former Bellator Featherweight champion A. J. McKee on February 24, 2024, at PFL vs. Bellator. He lost in the first round by armbar submission.

Collard started the 2024 season with a bout against former Bellator Lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull on April 12, 2024 at PFL 2. He won the fight by second round technical knockout.

Collard faced Mads Burnell in the main event of PFL 5 at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, UT on June 21, 2024. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Professional boxing career
Collard was initially training boxing only to improve his offensive striking skills for mixed martial arts. However, he needed money to fix his car so he opted to take a short-notice professional boxing match. He made his professional boxing debut in 2017, winning via split decision.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Showdown Fights
 * Showdown Fights Lightweight Championship (One time)
 * SteelFist Fight Night
 * SteelFist Fight Night Lightweight Championship (One time)
 * One successful title defense
 * SteelFist Fight Night Welterweight Championship (One time)