The PFL kicks off its season tonight featuring the lightweight debut of former UFC fighter Jeremy Stephens.
Stephens will be welcomed by boxer and MMA vet Clay Collard in the main event. All 20 fighters made weight and ready to go tonight at the Esports Stadium Arlington from Arlington, Texas.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card. We have a special prediction from PFL light heavyweight Chris Camozzi (27-15-0).
MAIN CARD (9PM ET/6PM PT)
NATAN SCHULTE (21-4-1) VS. OLIVIER AUBIN-MERCIER (13-5-0)
2x PFL Lightweight World Champion @NatanSchulte faces "The Canadian Gangster" @oliaubin to open up the Main Card!
Schulte: 156 lbs
Aubin-Mercier: 155.8 lbs#2022PFL1 LIVE Wed, 4/20
9pm ET | ESPN & ESPN+
6pm ET | @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/PH4J4FCphy— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 20, 2022
Andrews: Mercier has won his last two fights, but hasn’t finished anyone since April 2018. Schulte is the two-time PFL champion who has to be favoured here and overcome the grappling of Mercier.
Andrews Prediction: Natan Schulte via UD
ANTONIO CARLOS JR. (13-5-0) VS. DELAN MONTE (8-1-0)
2021 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion @caradesapatojr welcomes Delan Monte to the PFL tomorrow night!
Carlos Jr: 205.6 lbs
Monte: 205 lbs#2022PFL1 LIVE Wed, 4/20
9pm ET | ESPN & ESPN+
6pm ET | @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/9j5oy058Uu— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 20, 2022
Andrews: The reigning champion welcomes a crafty Brazilian colleague to the PFL cage. As long as ACJ is prepared, he should have the experience to keep the fight standing and take the decision.
Andrews Prediction: Antônio Carlos Jr. via UD
RAUSH MANFIO (15-3-1) VS. DON MADGE (10-3-1)
2021 PFL Lightweight World Champion @RaushManfio faces @DonMadgeMMA on opening night!
Manfio: 156 lbs
Madge: 155.8 lbs
#2022PFL1 LIVE Wed, 4/20
9pm ET | ESPN & ESPN+
6pm ET | @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/tOoFFIiQUf— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 20, 2022
Andrews:Â Manfio is a solid fighter who upset Anthony Pettis, but I like Madge even better to upset him and finish the bout with a submission.
Andrews Prediction: Don Madge via submission
MAIN EVENT
CLAY COLLARD (20-9-0) VS. JEREMY STEPHENS (28-19-0, 1NC)
.@CCCcollard looks to spoil a PFL debut in the Opening Night Main Event for the 2nd year in a row when he squares off against @LiLHeathenMMA tomorrow night!
Collard: 155 lbs
Stephens: 156 lbs#2022PFL1 LIVE Wed, 4/20
9pm ET | ESPN & ESPN+
6pm ET | @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/YNfY6xVPYa— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 20, 2022
Andrews: Collard has adjusted nicely between boxing and MMA. The chin of Stephens has been an issue in the UFC and while he is motivated to do well in his PFL debut, I think Collard gets the decision here.
Andrews Prediction: Clay Collard via UD
Chris Camozzi: That’s a tough one. Collard was thrown in there. I think his first fight last season was against Pettis, and now this season it’s against Stephens. Stephens is as tough as they come, he hits like a truck but … Collard has really clean boxing, so I’m actually excited for that one. I’m going to try and catch that one, but I’m going to take Stephens by knockout. I don’t there is going to be a decision. I’m going to take Stephens. It’s tough. Collard looked great last season. His boxing is clean.
Camozzi Prediction: Jeremy Stephens via TKO
Enjoy the fights.
