2023-08-24 03:00:00
Olivier Aubin-Mercier is just one win away from picking up a second million-dollar purse in the PFL.
The reigning lightweight champion defeated Brazilian Bruno Miranda by K.-O. in the second round to reach the final on Wednesday night at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York.
The 34-year-old Quebecer has now won his nine fights in the Professional Fighters Leagueincluding three of the last four by K.-O.
“It’s always the fun to finish his opponents. Last year, I reached the final with three decisions. This year I have two finish right now. It’s good to do that, it’s less work for me,” laughed Aubin-Mercier in an interview with our colleague Benoit Beaudoin after his victory.
The second semi-final of the gala opposed the Americans Clay Collard and Shane Burgos, and it was Collard who won by unanimous decision after a frenzied confrontation.
The three judges gave identical cards of 29-28 to the advantage of Collard, who clearly had the upper hand in the first two assaults, before strategically resisting the charges of Burgos in the last.
“It will be a difficult camp. The guy is good, he has a lot of volume and it’s impressive to see him throwing punches nonstop. But we will have a game plan against him. I’m not too stressed… in fact, I like this fight! “commented the Quebecer.
Aubin-Mercier was discreet in the first round, but he started the second in force. More active, he unleashed a solid left back hand that knocked Miranda down, then he got into an overhand position to work en ground and pound aiming for the ribs and the head.
“I think I’ve always been more cerebral, watching the kind of punch he was throwing. I’m left-handed, so we weren’t sure what attacks he would make. I took the chance to wait a bit and settle in. He didn’t really hit me in the first round, but it was closer. »
OAM managed to get into a full mounted position in the last 90 seconds to take full control and he rained down the blows. The referee finally had to intervene with 19 seconds left on the clock.
The finals for all categories will take place on November 24 at The Anthem, an amphitheater located in Washington. Each champion will then be rewarded with a scholarship of one million US dollars.
Aubin-Mercier went 2-0 in the regular season with wins over Shane Burgos and Anthony Romero in April and June.
“Given where I am, I do it for the exploit, explained Aubin-Mercier. I would have liked to bring the PFL to Montreal and it didn’t happen, but to be a double champion is something incredible,” Aubin-Mercier shared of the final.
“I still think my next fight is going to be my last,” he insisted, having already hinted at retirement last week. If the PLF offers me something I can’t refuse, I’ll consider it. »
Miranda had meanwhile won his two duels of the 2023 season by unanimous and split decision against Ahmed Amir and Alex Martinez.
Other results from the evening:
Welterweight Semi-Final : Sadibou Sy (no 3) defeated Carlos Leal (no 2) by split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29)
Welterweight Semi-Final : the favorite Magomed Magomedkerimov defeated Solomon Renfro (no 5) by unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
Lightweight Amateur Demonstration : Biaggio Ali Walsh defeated Ed Davis by K.-O. technique in the 2nd round
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