Arlington, TX — “The Canadian Gangster” is looking for a better start to the PFL regular season this year. That’s after Olivier Aubin-Mercier was forced out of a fight against Joilton Lutterbach in April one year ago.
Aubin-Mercier would win his next fight, but coming by decision, he didn’t make the post-season, instead facing (and defeating) Darrell Horcher outside of the tournament.
Heading into 2022, the Canadian has mixed feelings on the league’s season format.
“As an athlete, for sure, it’s a pain in the ass, the concept. But as a fan, I think it’s better. I think the show is better because of that,” Aubin-Mercier (13-5) told media outlets including Cageside Press during Monday’s PFL 1 media day.
The former UFC lightweight also suggested that the tournament wasn’t exactly a level playing field, without getting into specifics. “For sure, some people are going to have it easier, if you know what I mean, and other people, it’s going to be harder. But it’s part of the show, and there’s a million dollars at the end of the show, so that’s good motivation for anybody. But yeah, for sure, some people are going to have an easier time I would say.”
All that having been said, Olivier Aubin-Mercier feels he has what it takes to excel in the PFL format.
“I really think that if I didn’t have the minus one point because of my injury, I would have won the million dollars. I think my game is really, really strong in the PFL,” he stated. “I think it’s going to be for this year. I think the level is probably a little bit better than last year, this time around. But I think we’re going to see the same couple of people at the end of the road.”
Olivier Aubin-Mercier faces Natan Schulte at PFL 1, live on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at the ESports Stadium in Arlington, TX. Watch Monday’s full media scrum with Aubin-Mercier above.
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Clay Collard
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Jeremy Stephens
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Natan Schulte
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Don Madge
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Stevie Ray
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Raush Manfio
