Clay Collard Bio
Clay Collard (born March 10, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist and former professional boxer. Competing since 2011, he is widely known for competing in the lightweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he has built a reputation as a durable and entertaining fighter. In mixed martial arts competition, he also carries the ring name Cassius Collard, often shortened to Cassius, and fights out of Las Vegas, Nevada, where he represents Team Bonafide. Across his professional career, his record stands at 25 wins and 15 losses, with finishes by knockout, submission, and decision alike.
Early Life and Background
Clay Collard was born on March 10, 1993, in Payson, Utah, and grew up in the small community of Castle Dale, Utah. From an early age, he was drawn to combat sports, beginning wrestling at the age of six before adding boxing to his training at 11. The combination of grappling and striking laid a strong foundation for his later transition into mixed martial arts.
He attended Emery High School, where he lettered in wrestling, sharpening the discipline and toughness that would later define his professional career. After finishing high school, Collard chose to pursue fighting full-time, training out of regional gyms in Utah while preparing for his first professional bouts.
Path to MMA
Clay Collard took his first and only amateur mixed martial arts bout less than two weeks after his 18th birthday. He won the fight by knockout in just 12 seconds, an explosive debut that convinced him to turn professional almost immediately. He fought the following weekend as a pro and never looked back.
For the early portion of his career, Collard competed solely on the Utah regional circuit, building a record of 13 wins, 4 losses, and 1 no contest. That run of consistent activity in regional shows caught the attention of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which signed him to a multi-fight deal and marked his arrival on the national stage.
Clay Collard Career
Early Career (2011-2014)
Clay Collard began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2011 at the age of 18, working through regional promotions across Utah. During this developmental stretch, he competed in the featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions, gaining experience against a variety of styles. His regional success ultimately led to a contract with the UFC.
He made his promotional debut on August 23, 2014, stepping in on short notice as a replacement against Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night 49. Although he lost the bout by technical knockout in the third round, the opportunity against a future champion signaled his arrival on one of MMA’s biggest stages.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2014-2019)
After his debut loss, Clay Collard faced Alex White on December 6, 2014, at UFC 181, earning a unanimous decision victory in his first UFC win. He followed that with a bout against Gabriel Benítez on June 13, 2015, at UFC 188 in Mexico City, where he dropped a unanimous decision. Collard was then booked against Andre Fili at UFC 191, but after a late opponent change to Tiago Trator, he lost a split decision and was released from the promotion.
Clay Collard returned to the UFC in 2019 when he was called upon as a short-notice replacement to face Devonte Smith at UFC 241. He ultimately withdrew from the bout due to an undisclosed reason and was replaced by Khama Worthy. Following the withdrawal, the promotion released him for a second time, closing out his UFC tenure with a 1-3 promotional record.
Professional Boxing (2017)
In 2017, Clay Collard made his professional boxing debut, originally training in the sport only to sharpen his striking for MMA. However, needing money to fix his car, he accepted a short-notice professional bout and won by split decision, adding a parallel boxing chapter to his combat sports career.
Professional Fighters League (2020-Present)
In March 2020, Clay Collard signed with the Professional Fighters League to compete in the lightweight division. His planned 2020 debut was delayed when the league cancelled the entire season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He finally entered the PFL cage on April 23, 2021, at PFL 1, where he outboxed former UFC champion Anthony Pettis to win a unanimous decision in one of the year’s biggest upsets.
He added a split decision win over Joilton Lutterbach at PFL 4 before losing a semifinal bout to Raush Manfio at PFL 7. In 2022, Collard decisioned Jeremy Stephens at PFL 1 but fell by split decision to Alexander Martinez at PFL 4. He returned in 2023 with three consecutive wins, including a second-round technical knockout of Stevie Ray at PFL 6 and a semifinal victory over Shane Burgos at PFL 9, before losing the lightweight final to Olivier Aubin-Mercier at PFL 10.
In 2024, Clay Collard dropped a first-round armbar to A. J. McKee at PFL vs. Bellator, then stopped Patricky Pitbull with a second-round technical knockout at PFL 2. After a decision loss to Mads Burnell at PFL 5 in Salt Lake City and a semifinal loss to Brent Primus at PFL 8, he was officially announced on February 26, 2025, as a participant in the 2025 PFL Lightweight Tournament. His 2025 campaign opened with a first-round TKO loss to Alfie Davis in the quarterfinals at PFL 3.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Clay Collard’s signature moments, his April 2021 upset of Anthony Pettis stands out as the win that announced his arrival in the PFL. He has since added high-profile victories over Jeremy Stephens, Shane Burgos, Stevie Ray, and Patricky Pitbull, while also contesting a PFL lightweight tournament final in 2023.
Clay Collard Career Wins
Clay Collard has compiled 25 professional mixed martial arts victories across regional, UFC, and PFL competition. His finishes have come by knockout, submission, and decision, reflecting a well-rounded game built during more than a decade of professional fighting.
PFL Highlights
Within the Professional Fighters League, Clay Collard has posted a series of notable victories, beginning with his debut upset of Anthony Pettis. He followed that with wins over Joilton Lutterbach, Jeremy Stephens, Yamato Nishikawa, Stevie Ray, Shane Burgos, and Patricky Pitbull, while also reaching the 2023 lightweight tournament final.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the PFL, Clay Collard captured regional wins across the Utah circuit and earned a UFC victory over Alex White at UFC 181. In professional boxing, he opened his career with a split decision win in 2017, adding a second combat sport to his résumé.
Clay Collard Family
Personal Life
Clay Collard resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he trains and represents Team Bonafide. Publicly verified details about his spouse, children, and parents are not available in his verified record.
2025 Season Performance
Clay Collard’s 2025 campaign centers on the PFL Lightweight Tournament, with the promotion officially confirming his entry on February 26, 2025. He opened the tournament in the quarterfinals at PFL 3 on April 18, 2025, dropping a first-round TKO to Alfie Davis in a setback to his title hopes.
Coming off a 2024 season that included a signature stoppage of Patricky Pitbull but also semifinal and main event losses, Collard entered 2025 looking to rebound. His prior run to the 2023 PFL lightweight final underlined his ability to string together tournament wins when healthy and sharp.
As the 2025 PFL Lightweight Tournament continues, Clay Collard remains a recognizable figure in the division, with his trademark pressure, boxing base, and veteran durability giving him the tools to chase another deep playoff push.