For the PFL 2023 qualification, Olivier Aubin-Mercier needed to win at any cost. And gaining that win by a brutal knockout which crushed his opponent’s knee, confirmed his qualification.
But was the cost Mercier’s opponent paid too much for a sport? Did he go too far in pursuit of victory? Continue reading to find out!
Aubin-Mercier and Anthony Romero competed in the main event of 2023 PFL 6 at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta. Both competitors were eyeing a playoff position. At 0:28 in Round 3, “The Canadian Gangster” made his way by knocking Romero out with a brutally injured knee.
The opening round was highly chaotic. Aubin-Mercier’s forceful punch shook Romero during one of the initial exchanges. Romero was able to recover immediately and began to retaliate. A little while later, he delivered a smooth curved kick to knock Aubin-Mercier off balance. Due to a series of head collisions brought on by the open stances, the fighters found it difficult to evaluate their opponent’s movement in the second round, which resulted in brief pauses in the action. However, there were no point deductions, and the fight went on.
In the final round, Aubin-Mercier finished things in less than 30 seconds with just five minutes remaining on the timer. Romero shifted while trying to land a left high kick, causing Aubin-Mercier to react quickly and land a knee. Romero suffered a fatal injury and fell to the ground right afterward.
In his last three matches, Aubin-Mercier has achieved two of his best finishes. In November, he won the 2022 lightweight season by knocking out Stevie Ray in the second round with a punch worth one million dollars.
Aubin-Mercier will now compete in the playoffs, where his first-round opponent will be Natan Schulte. Clay Collard and Bruno Miranda will square off on the other side of the bracket.
This will bring Mercier closer to crowning himself as the PFL Lightweight World Champion again. The Canadian gangster surely sent fear down his future opponent’s spine with that exceptional third-round finish. With his talent and brutal punches, there is no doubt that Olivier will defend his title as the PFL Lightweight World Champion.
His mastery in the ring is nothing short of extraordinary. With lightning-fast reflexes, flawless footwork, and a tactical mind, he effortlessly makes his way through his opponent’s defenses, leaving them puzzled and helpless. But unexpected outcomes await us at every point in life.
This championship is no joke, especially the finals, where only the best appear. This is why with his talent, the fighter will need much hard work and luck to succeed. Will he be able to defend his PFL Lightweight World Champion? Moreover, will he have more remarkable finishes? Comment down your thoughts below!
