PFL lightweight semifinalist Raush Manfio learned a lot about his upcoming opponent, Clay Collard after watching his fight with Anthony Pettis.
After a three-year layoff from the sport, PFL lightweight contender Raush Manfio entered the 2021 PFL regular season with more questions than answers.
But after back-to-back razor-thin decision victories over Joilton Lutterbach and Anthony Pettis, Manfio is ready to prove to the world that he belongs in the conversation among the best lightweights in the world.
Manfio will face Clay Collard in the PFL lightweight semifinals next month, in a matchup of two dangerous strikers and gritty competitors. Collard made a name for himself after dominating Pettis to open up the regular season, getting the unanimous decision victory.
Manfio and Collard share a lot in common, including both having victories over Pettis this season. Ahead of their highly-anticipated clash, Manfio learned a lot of lessons from watching Collard’s performance against Pettis to contribute to his own approach in the cage.
“I think when Collard fought Pettis, he gave him a lot of space for kicks,” Manfio told FanSided’s Amy Kaplan in Florida during the PFL press junket. “I kick really well too. For sure I want to repeat what Pettis did and kick him. I learned a lot from that fight.”
Raush Manfio earned a playoff spot after an upset win over Anthony Pettis
Manfio was relatively unknown to MMA fans heading into his matchup with Pettis; who many believed would dominate the league in his first season. Instead, it’ll be Manfio heading to the PFL Playoffs while Pettis begins his offseason earlier than expected.
Manfio is also a PFL rookie after a long tenure in Titan FC. When it comes to previewing his fight with Collard with a spot in the PFL lightweight championship on the line, he wants to let fans know to make sure to tune in however they can.
“I think this is going to be the best fight of the season,” Manfio said. “Two great strikers and I can’t wait to put out all I have inside the cage.”