A year ago, Olivier “The Canadian Gangster” Aubin-Mercier won the Professional Fighters League (PFL) lightweight title and the US$1 million prize pool that came with it.
On Friday, the 34-year-old Montrealer will attempt to repeat this feat — in what could be his last career mixed martial arts fight.
Aubin-Mercier will face American “Cassius” Clay Collard in one of six PFL finals playing at The Anthem auditorium in Washington DC.
Unlike other professional mixed martial arts circuits, the PFL is made up of a regular schedule and eliminators which culminate with the holding of championship fights with prize pools in the seven figures.
Aubin-Mercier had been knocked out. to Scotland’s Stevie “Braveheart” Ray with a single punch in the second round of their fight on November 25, 2022, to obtain both awards at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
This year, Aubin-Mercier and Collard have identical records, 3-0-0, in PFL.
Aubin-Mercier (20-5-0) began his season in April with a decision victory over ex-UFC fighter “Hurricane” Shane Burgos, before stopping fellow Canadian Anthony “The Genius” Romero in the third round in June and Brazilian Bruno “Robusto” Miranda in the second round in August.
Winning a second PFL title “would be the perfect conclusion to my career,” he said.
Collard (24-10-0 with a no decision) won by decision against Burgos and Japan’s Yamato Nishikawa, winning in the meantime by referee stoppage in the second round against Ray. Against Burgos, Collard threw no fewer than 430 punches and hit the target nearly 200 times.
Aubin-Mercier is intrigued by the challenge posed by Collard, whose “beautiful personality” he praised. “An interesting duel; I like this. I really like it,” he said. I was hoping he would make it to the final. He went through a lot to get there and I’m very happy for him. »
Aubin-Mercier considered extending his break from mixed martial arts after winning the title in 2022, but ultimately returned to the gym.
He added that regardless of the outcome Friday, he plans to take “a long break.” How long ? We ignore it. “I don’t think you’ll see me again next year,” he said. That being said, if the PFL wants to come to Montreal, offer me a big amount and add some of my friends to the card, then yes, I would love to fight one last fight. Otherwise, I have no interest in returning to the arena next year. »
” I’m tired. I want to spend time with my family. That’s my plan,” he concluded.