PFL 4 Preview – How the lightweights, light heavyweights can advance to the playoffs

It all comes down to the next three Fridays for PFL fighters hoping to continue their chase of a $1 million season championship. The lightweights and light heavyweights fight their second and final regular-season bouts this Friday at PFL 4 (main card on ESPN and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET, prelims on ESPN+ at 7 p.m.).

The main event at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta pits 2021 lightweight semifinalist Clay Collard against Alexander Martinez, with both sitting in a tie for third place with one other fighter, all of whom have 3 points. The top four point earners in each division advance to the playoffs.

Lightweight defending champion Raush Manfio, who eliminated Collard last season, is in second place going into his bout with Olivier Aubin-Mercier, the other fighter with 3 points. Leading the way in the division with 6 points is Anthony Pettis, who is scheduled to compete against Stevie Ray at PFL 5 on June 24.

In Friday’s co-main event, the 2021 season’s light heavyweight champ, Antonio Carlos Junior, faces Bruce Souto. Carlos Junior has six points, putting him in a first-place tie with Omari Akhmedov, who fights Teodoras Aukstuolis.

There’s a lot to sort out, starting Friday. Here’s what I envision happening, along with playoff scenarios calculated by the PFL.

Lightweight: Clay Collard vs. Alexander Martinez

Collard is coming off an exciting win over seasoned veteran Jeremy Stephens. Collard showed every aspect of his evolved game in that fight, including a granite chin. Martinez doesn’t bring the same type of power that Stephens does, but he has a ground game that could be threatening if Collard gets reckless on the ground. Look for Collard to keep the fight on the feet, where he will be the better striker. Prediction: Collard to win.

Light heavyweight: Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Bruce Souto

Carlos Junior is unbeaten in five straight and will be…