PFL 5: 2024 Regular Season; Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Well once again it was the typical striker versus grappler matchup. And Mads Burnell used heavy grappling as the difference in his win over the local Clay Collard. To the tune of six takedowns where he not only controlled the action on the mat, but kept hunting for the submission, which he never got. But he did snag the 29-28 unanimous decision win.
Collard darted in and out throwing the leather to both the body and head. While his footwork and feinting were on point, he was also warned multiple times by referee MIKE BELTRAN about grabbing the fence.
Coming into the scrap it was a serious longshot for Burnell to pull an even bigger rabbit out of the hat, by making the playoffs. But all fight week he had mentioned he was just coming to Salt Lake for the win. The former Bellator title contender, used to spar with Collard. So he was well aware he’d be peppered with strikes. To the tune of 105 on this night. Although none of them truly rocked Burnell.
Heavy Grappling The Difference… Is The Book On Collard
Despite the loss, Collard will be the four-seed in the lightweight division playoffs. With that hole in his game, which is small to say the least, he’s going to get another heavy dose come his first-round playoff scrap. Brent Primus is the one-seed and has a wrestling background.
Can Primus avoid being drawn into a firefight and abandon his wrestling? Yes. That’s happened a bunch to him. Can his chin hold up to a striking attack that’s going to come his way? Sure, that too has been his story.
The fighter that will wind up fighting for a million dollars will be the one who does his homework best in this camp. Collard has always been the bridesmaid never the bride. And the clock might be ticking for him. Although he loves fighting, one has to wonder aloud, how much not getting over the hump is taking out of his psyche. He also has to work on his takedown defense,… badly.
Primus on the other hand, has to cut off the smart cage and not let Collard get going with his footwork. He has to avoid biting on all the feints he’s going to face. The winner will most likely be favored to win it all. The other side of the bracket between GADZI RABADANOV and MICHAEL DUFORT has the mystery factor.
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