“Back to back tabarnak!” “, exclaimed Olivier Aubin-Mercier after winning his second Professional Fighters League (PFL) lightweight championship on Friday evening in what was, in all likelihood, his final career fight.
“I am the best Olivier I have ever been,” Aubin-Mercier said in the opening video presented before entering the octagon. A few minutes later, he put words into action by defeating the American Clay Collard by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46).
For a second year in a row, the “Canadian Gangster” defeated everyone who came in his way this season. And for a second year in a row, he got his hands on a check for one million dollars.
Except there won’t be a third consecutive year.
While answering a question from the ESPN host in English in the octagon, Aubin-Mercier took a pause and said, with a sigh, “I’m going to speak a little bit in French.” “They can keep their English!” » he added with a laugh, in reference to Montreal Alouettes player Marc-Antoine Dequoy’s post-game speech earlier this week.
“I’m tired,” continued the Quebecer. I am very tired. I think this is the last time you’ll see me. It’s hard for me to say this, but I think it’s over. I need a lot of rest, at least for the next few years. »
Aubin-Mercier then thanked his coaches, then his family. “My girlfriend, my daughter, my parents,” he suggested, before his voice cracked and tears began to flow. I’m bored, I can’t wait to see you. »
When the host asked him what the year 2024 would look like for the double champion, OAM indicated that he wanted to spend time with his family, as he has been saying for several months.
“Three years ago, I told my granddaughter that I would not work this summer,” he said, with a tremor in his voice. I’ve been working this year and this summer, so I think I need to spend time with my family. »
The fight
To say the least, this was not a fight for the meek. Aubin-Mercier, stronger and better tactically, dominated the duel, but faced a very, very tenacious opponent.
From the first round, it didn’t take two minutes before Aubin-Mercier surrounded his opponent at the hips to bring him to the ground and go for a body triangle. He tried strangulations, but without success. Clay Collard was stubborn, and the opposite would have been surprising.
The next three rounds played out in much the same way. It was OAM who led the position in front of an opponent who was often short of solutions, but who always managed to get rid of the Quebecer’s hold.
“He was in my face all the time,” the champion told the media present a little later. It was really hard. It was a tough fight. »
“He’s a moron. We knew it, we were ready. It still surprised me how good he was at getting up. To be honest, it really burned my legs. »
Aubin-Mercier, visibly injured in one leg, nevertheless clearly had the upper hand throughout the fight. From the final bell, he hugged his team, out of breath and out of energy. A slight smile appeared on his face. The smile of an exhausted but satisfied man. He also said he was proud to have lasted five rounds against a guy “who is known for having hellish cardio”.
“Back to back tarbarnak!” » he quickly exclaimed at the microphone of ESPN after the victory. This sentence was the perfect follow-up to the one he uttered after his first championship a year ago, “Quebec is back tabarnak!” “.
For months now, Aubin-Mercier has been repeating without embarrassment that he no longer has the motivation to continue fighting. This fight, whatever its outcome, would be his last, he warned. Again last week, in an interview with The Press, the pugilist expressed his impatience to be on vacation. Well, that’s it; Aubin-Mercier is on vacation. And he is with a second million in his pocket. It’s hard to ask for better.
” There is something [à la fois] nice and a little sad to leave the sport at the top. But I’ve made peace with that and I’m proud of myself,” he said last week.
Now the time for the long-awaited rest has come.
“Eight fights in two years really burned me,” Aubin-Mercier said at a press conference. I want to see my little family, to walk around the world, to enjoy it. »
“ [Ma fille] will have his La Ronde card! »