PFL 2023 Finals: The Anthem; Washington, DC
He’s hinted at it all season long, but there was no dropping of the gloves and the “R” word didn’t leave his lips. However, Olivier Aubin Mercier rides away from his mma career as a back-to-back PFL champion. Doing so on an “extended break” as he actually put it. And Clay Collard gave Olivier-AubinMercier everything he could handle and more.
Right from the get-go “Cassius” chopped the 34-year old Canadian’s lower right leg. And it quickly became compromised. But the veteran workhorse had no give. He was able to take Clay down five-times and use his grappling successfully with a python like tight body lock.
When the duo were on the feet, once that leg was losing mobility, the fast hands of Collard ripped the body of Aubin-Mercier relentlessly. The more active fighter did have a 129-86 total strike advantage. Although the judges felt the ground control was more, hence the 49-46 unanimous decision.
Olivier Aubin Mercier Rides Away For Family
With the addition of the BELLATOR roster, and a CHAMPION VS CHAMPION card in the works; there might have been some hope the two-time lightweight champ would possibly hold on for at least one more fight. But it appears that the loss of time with his young daughter might be the deciding overall factor. And who can blame him if that’s the case.
So with Aubin-Mercier all but no longer in the picture, where does he fit in the pantheon of Canadian MMA fighters? Well, without a doubt he takes his place on their Mount Rushmore. There he joins his mentor Georges St-Pierre, the warrior Rory MacDonald, and the heavy handed Patrick Cote.
He’s also leaving on a 10-fight win streak, all in the PFL.
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