PFL 7’s Manfio warns Collard: ‘I’m a great counter striker’

Lightweight GP semifinalist Raush Manfio hopes to catch professional boxer Clay Collard at PFL 7.

After taking out Anthony Pettiss—one of the biggest favorites in the Professional Fighters League 2021 lightweight Grand Prix—semifinalist Raush Manfio trusts he can do it again to secure his spot in the finals. Paired up against Clay Collard, who became famous for finding success in the boxing ring, the Brazilian wants to show the world his opponent is not the only dangerous striker in the fight.

In an interview with Combate, Manfio pointed out his striking skills, as well as some mistakes he sees in Collard’s game. Should his opponent not bring his best version, Raush predicts things could end badly for ‘Cassius’.

“I’m a great counter striker. He comes at you all the time, he crosses his legs, he walks towards his opponents. He can catch you, he has good boxing. I think I can stop his attacks by using my strikes, though. He makes some technical mistakes when he walks forward and that’s where I come in. I watched his fights. Sometimes he will connect one, two, three shots and the other guy will not go down. If I land one, they go down. Four a counter striker. I think his style favors me a lot.”

Currently on a two-fight winning streak, Manfio (13-3) scored a couple of split decisions over both Pettis and Joilton Lutterbach, in his two PFL outings. Before that, the 29-year-old suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Sidney Outlaw, back in June 2018. at Titan FC 50.

Now, Manfio is expected to meet Collard at PFL 7, August 13. The card is scheduled to be headlined by a semifinal bout in the welterweight GP, between former UFC contender and Bellator champion, Rory MacDonald, and the 2019 tournament winner Ray Cooper III.