Former UFC champion Anthony Pettis likely felt it in the air at PFL 1 Friday night.
Upsets were all the rage as the Professional Fighters League returned live on ESPN2 and ESPN+ from Atlantic City.
In the main event, Clay Collard, who shot up the boxing rankings during the COVID-19 break, dominated Pettis for three rounds to begin his quest to becoming the new lightweight champion.
The PFL holds regular season matches before putting together a tournament to crown both the champion and winner of $1 million.
In the co-main event, two-time PFL champion Natan Schulte was topped by Marcin Held. Lance Palmer, another two-time league winner, was bested by Bubba Jenkins.
“The PFL regular season, playoffs and championship format is back and better than ever,” said Ray Sefo, President of Fighter Operations of the PFL. “Our Lightweight and Featherweight fighters opened the 2021 season with a bang and showcased their athleticism, determination, and will to win, giving our viewers worldwide a glimpse of what’s to come this season. The major upsets displayed demonstrates what the PFL is all about, it’s more than a fight, it’s a season and our fighters are hungrier than ever to punch their ticket to the playoffs. I look forward to seeing the same energy in next week’s matchups.”
All three fighters, though, will have chances to work back up the rankings and make the tournament bracket.
PFL 2 takes place Thursday with Rory MacDonald in the main event.
- Clay Collard def. Anthony Pettis via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28) – earns 3 points in lightweight standings
- Marcin Held def. Natan Schulte via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – earns 3 points in lightweight standings
- Movlid Khaybulaev def. Lazar Stojadinovic via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – earns 3 points in featherweight standings
- Bubba Jenkins def. Lance Palmer via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – earns 3 points in featherweight standings
- Brendan Loughnane def. Sheymon Moraes via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:55 – earns 6 points in featherweight standings
- Raush Manfio def. Joilton Lutterbach via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) – earns 3 points in lightweight standings
- Akhmed Aliev def. Mikhail Odintsov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – earns 3 points in lightweight standings
- Chris Wade def. Anthony Dizy via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – earns 3 points in featherweight standings
- Tyler Diamond def. Sung Bin Jo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – earns 3 points in featherweight standings
- Alex Martinez def. Loik Radzhabov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) – earns 3 points in lightweight standings
