The American professional mixed martial artist, Clay Collard lost his younger brother Chad in a car accident in February 2021.
The tragedy occurred before the 2021 PFL season began, which Collard opened with a convincing victory over former UFC champion Anthony Pettis.
The tragedy has inspired Clay to hustle more in the memory of his late brother. Collard is now fighting harder than ever, driven to achieve the life that Chad would have wanted him to live.
Clay Collard started wrestling at the age of six, picking up boxing at the age of 11.
However, he took his first and only amateur MMA bout after his 18th birthday. There he won via knockout and turned professional the same year.
Moreover, Clay made his promotional debut in August 2014 at UFC Fight Night 49, where he lost the fight via TKO.
After 6 years in UFC, the mixed martial artist signed with Professional Fighter League in March 2020. There he made his debut against Anthony Pettis in April 2021.
The Showdown Fights lightweight Champion also made his professional boxing debut in 2017. He won the match via split decision.
All About Late Chad Collard
The younger brother of Clay Collard, Chad, had a profound impact on many people’s lives, and his passing has left an unbridgeable gap.
Chad Shea Collard, 23, passed away on February 3, 2021, from a motor vehicle accident while traveling home from work.
Clay’s brother made the most of every moment of his life, and he particularly loved being outside, wakeboarding, snowboarding, listening to music, and rapping.
Born October 12, 1997, in Payson, Utah, to Christian Hal and Marilyn Palmer Collard, Chad was a longtime resident of Emery County.
Collard was a multi-sport athlete who could go head-to-head with the finest in the nation in any sport.
He won two Beehive Brawl championships, two Junior High championships, and the 2007 Junior Golden Gloves National Championship for his outstanding performance in competition.
The younger Collard was working with Bridge Source at the Bridger Power Plant in Wyoming at the time of his passing.
Chad is survived by his parents, Christian and Marilyn Collard, along with his four brothers, Cory, Clay, Hunter, and Cezly Collard, grandparents, and many loving loyal friends.
Clay Collard Remembers Brother Chad
Collard opened up about his brother’s tragic passing and the drive that has kept him winning all season in a video feature provided by the PFL.
“He’s the last thing I think about when I’m walking into the cage and the first thing that I think about when the fight is over,” Collard remembered his brother. “This is for Chad. That mentality is what’s driving me. I’m gonna be a hard man to beat.”
“Having my brother (Chad) move out here and train with me, I think has been one of the biggest blessings in my life.” Clay got emotional while talking about his youngest brother.
In addition to mourning his brother, Collard was also trying to prepare for his PFL debut against former UFC Champion Anthony Pettis.
In the biggest opportunity of his career, Clay upset the former UFC lightweight champion with a unanimous decision victory in April 2021.
The MMA fighter now trains harder than ever in the memory of his late brother Chad Collard.
