PFL 4 Preview: Clay Collard, Antonio Carlos Jr. Star In Regular Season Continuation

KEY POINTS

The 2022 regular season continues with PFL 4 on Friday, June 17
Clay Collard meets Alexander Martinez in the main event
Antonio Carlos Jr. sees action in the co-headliner

The 2022 Regular Season of the Professional Fighters League (PFL) continues this Friday, June 17th set to take place at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

With the PFL Playoffs drawing closer, fighters in the lightweight and light heavyweight divisions will look to punch their tickets and move one step closer to the coveted PFL championship.

Headlining PFL 4’s stacked lineup of matches will be a lightweight contest between Clay Collard of the United States and Alexander Martinez of Paraguay.

Through his current run in PFL, Collard has emerged as a fan favorite due to his exciting and fast-paced fighting style.

Collard shocked the world last season when he spoiled former UFC champion Anthony Pettis’ PFL debut and used that momentum to earn a spot in the semifinals.

This year, Collard started the season strong once again, topping another UFC vet in Jeremy Stephens at PFL 1 back in April.

Now, Collard will try to pick up another win and potentially book a return trip to the postseason.

Like Collard, Martinez will also seek a second-straight PFL Playoffs appearance.

After falling short in last year’s semifinal opportunity, Martinez began the season on a high note, defeating Stevie Ray by unanimous decision.

With playoff spots on the line, Friday night’s matchup with Collard should be an exciting one.

In the co-feature attraction, 2021 PFL light heavyweight champion Antonio Carlos Jr. will look to continue his reign of dominance in the promotion's 205-pound weight class when he locks horns with fellow Brazilian Bruce Souto.

Carlos Jr. proved immediately why he was one of PFL’s marquee signings with an impeccable run towards the championship last year.

“Shoeface” defeated the likes of Tom Lawlor, former titleholder Emiliano Sordi and Marthin Hamlet en route to the light heavyweight strap.

This season, Carlos Jr. picked up right where he left off with a 29-second submission over Delan Monte.

Souto earned a spot in the 2022 PFL Regular Season with an impressive showing in Week 1 of the PFL Challenger Series this past February.

Souto’s hype train was derailed, however, after suffering a second-round TKO loss at PFL 1.

Now, Souto will look to get back on track and breathe life into his hopes for a PFL Playoff berth.

Also on the card, 2021 PFL lightweight champion Raush Manfio resumes his quest for back-to-back championships when he takes on veteran Olivier Aubin-Mercier.