Clay Collard

Clay Collard vs. Max Holloway

Round 1
Both men rattle off kicks in the early going of round one, Holloway landing the better shots, especially with a left high kick upstairs. Holloway begins striking down the center with hard, straight punches, answered in kind by Collard, who catches a kick and smashes the Hawaiian with a big left hand. Collard tries to throw a knee in the Thai clinch, gets tripped to the ground and allowed back up by Holloway. A switch kick from Collard catches Holloway leaning over with a shin to the nose. Holloway puts a spinning kick in Collard’s breadbasket, gets shoved against the fence for a moment and circles out. Holloway knocks Collard backward with a right hook on the chin, then closes the gap on Collard near the fence and hits the newcomer with a spinning kick. Collard steps out to the center of the cage and gets blasted with some big right hooks. Holloway finishes the round with another spinning kick to the body and a right high kick to Collard’s face.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Holloway
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway

Round 2
Holloway stays on the outside of Collard’s long punches and kicks in the opening minute of round two, then closes the distance and drills Collard with a knee to the belly. Another right hand from Hollway snaps back Collard’s head, but Collard catches a kick a few seconds later to rush Holloway to the ground. Holloway pops right back up, drills Collard with a right cross and tacks on a jump knee. Collard tries to fire back but Holloway gets on his horse and evades the counterattack. Midway through the round, Collard shoots for a double-leg on the fence, but Holloway peels him off and circles out. Collard grabs a single-leg and Holloway scrambles to jump on his back, but gives up the position in order to stand and continue trading strikes. Collard ducks under a wide left hook and gets trapped against the fence, where Holloway thumps his opponent’s body with a hard right kick. Collard finally gets Holloway to the ground in the final minute but then has to avoid an armbar and a triangle choke from the Hawaiian.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Holloway
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway

Round 3
Collard shoots a long shot, takes a right hand on his knees and then gets up to chase Holloway around the cage. A couple slapping leg kicks score for Collard before he changes levels to try a single-leg, then switches to a double. Holloway gives Collard some elbows to the side of the head while defending with his back to the fence. Now, Holloway circles out and Collard gives chase, walking into a right hand and the diving for a long shot. Holloway drills Collard with a knee to the body and shoves him to the ground, then comes down to the half guard of “Cassius.” Collard rolls over to his stomach and fends off a rear-naked choke attempt midway through the final round. Holloway sits up in full mount to hit Collard with an elbow, then three or four big punches. Collard looks spent, taking hard shots to his unprotected face. Collard rolls to his belly again, Holloway unloads with a series of 10 big right hands, and referee Dan Miragliotta has seen enough.

The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Clay Collard via TKO (Punches) R3 3:47