Hometown heroes are taking center stage in the SmartCage later this month.
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is coming to Salt Lake City for the first time, with 2024 Global Season action coming to the Hunstman Center on Friday, June 21. Fittingly, the card features two Utah-raised fighters, Clay Collard and Julian Ruiz.
Unique in the MMA world, PFL features an eight-month season, where fighters must win four fights to be crowned champion. Each division features ten fighters who compete in two Regular Season fights, where they’re awarded points based on wins and finishes.
Based on these points, the top four fighters in each weight class qualify for the win-or-go-home Playoffs, where the last man standing takes home a world title and the $1 million cash prize.
PFL Point System Explained - First Round Finish: 6 Points - Second Round Finish: 5 Points - Third Round Finish: 4 Points - Decision Victory: 3 Points - Loss: 0 Points
Clay Collard, born in Payson and raised in Castle Dale, has professionally competed since he was 18 years old. Over the last 13 years, “Cassius” Clay has spent time in the boxing ring, the UFC and now PFL, where his resume boasts emphatic victories over some of the best lightweights in the world, including Shane Burgos, Jeremy Stephens and Anthony Pettis.
Collard reached last season’s lightweight championship fight but ultimately fell short to Olivier Aubin-Mercier. However, he bounced back quickly and kicked off his 2024 campaign with a second-round TKO victory over Patricky Pitbull, earning him five points and putting him in a prime position to return to the playoffs.
The lightweight will take on Mads Burnell for his second Regular Season bout in Salt Lake City’s main event. He is no stranger to the main event scene as his action-first fight style has made him a massive fan favorite.
Reflecting on a recent statement from UFC lightweight Justin Gaethje, Collard explained his philosophy heading into a fight.
“I'm a man of violence for the people. I like to get in there, be exciting and put on shows. Win, lose or draw, I'm winning fans and that's what this is all about… and I have a great time doing it.”
“When it really comes down to it, I just want to be known as the dude who threw down every single f*cking time.” - Clay Collard
In addition to putting on a show for the fans, Collard is focused on providing for his family. With them in town for the fight, he expressed his appreciation for their support and described how he relishes the opportunity to show up and do his thing with them in the building cheering him on.
Opening up the card is the Vernal-raised Julian Ruiz. The undefeated featherweight prospect will make his PFL debut against Brahyan Zurcher. Ruiz reached out to Collard ahead of the latter’s fight with AJ McKee last February and the two have been training together ever since.
Ahead of his PFL debut, the #1 ranked pro featherweight in Utah explained that he doesn’t necessarily view the fight as him going up to a higher level. Rather, he’s looking forward to showcasing that he is the higher level.
“I've been around higher-level guys for a really long time,” Ruiz said, mentioning Collard as a prime example. “I’ve had a lot of things come up and a lot of fights pull out, so I feel like I should be a lot farther in my career. This is an opportunity for me to prove that, to show that I really am next level.”
“Once I get to the highest level, I feel like I'm going to be a pretty big staple. I'll be a dominant champion when that time comes.” - Julian Ruiz
Ruiz proudly represents The Pit in Salt Lake City, a gym operated by longtime martial artist Ramsey Nijem. Having already been training with Nijem, Ruiz joined The Pit as a representative when it opened and helped build the gym with his success as an amateur.
Since its conception, The Pit has become one of the premier MMA gyms in the Salt Lake area. The gym has opened its doors to some of the biggest names in the sport, including Alex Pereira and Glover Texeira.
Ruiz also praised Collard’s gym, Four7 Training, for welcoming him to what he now considers a second home. Collard added on to describe his experience at the Spanish Fork gym.
“I think my coach, Jason Mertlich, is one of if not the best coach in the world,” he said. “Not only with his knowledge of the sport, but he also takes it very personally with me. He doesn't have a whole big group or stable of fighters. It’s just me and him, and whoever's willing to come help us get ready. I'm very honored to be a part of Four7 with Jason.”
Both fighters characterized the significance of competing on a PFL stage together on their home turf. Ruiz touched on his mind state a few months before the announcement, explaining that at 27 years old, injuries and other scheduling conflicts left him feeling that his opportunity to compete against the best guys in the world had passed him by.
However, the opportunity finally struck and Ruiz got slotted in the opening fight of the night. He expressed his gratitude, not only for the opportunity to shine on the PFL stage, but to do so in his hometown alongside his training partner.
“It’s a great honor. It means a whole lot to me, especially in front of this crowd.”
Collard explained that while he’s been in PFL main events before, he’d never been the marquee name on the bill. He detailed his excitement to have finally earned the role of the “A-side” guy and do it in his own backyard.
“I've been putting in the work and putting on shows, so to be able to come back to my hometown and be the main event just feels well-deserved.”
PFL isn’t the first big MMA promotion venture to Utah. In years past, the Beehive State has hosted the UFC and Bellator while also boasting an active local scene.
“There’s a reason why big promotions keep wanting to come down here,” said Ruiz. He explained that Utah has hosted unforgettable MMA moments — including Leon Edwards’ iconic knockout of Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 — which have exponentially increased the excitement surrounding combat sports in Utah.
The local appetite for combat sports allows for a passionate crowd to show out at every event. Collard took his fanbase for example, exclaiming, “With all my fans there, it’s going to be popping as a motherf*cker!”
Watch Clay Collard and Julian Ruiz represent the Beehive State at PFL in Salt Lake City on June 21. Tickets are available now and live coverage of the event will kick off at 5 PM ET on ESPN.
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