Olivier Aubin-Mercier already anticipated 2023 can be his closing look within the PFL season-long match, but it surely’s doable his upcoming struggle in opposition to Clay Collard might be his final.
As he prepares to go for a second straight PFL light-weight title after claiming the belt and $1 million prize in 2022, the 34-year-old French Canadian is aware of the clock is ticking on his time left within the sport. He’s not going to make any rash selections simply but, however he acknowledges that he’s acquired some massive selections to make after he competes on Nov. 24.
“I do suppose it’s the final match and it might even be my final struggle,” Aubin-Mercier revealed in an interview with MMA Preventing. “I’m going to speak to PFL after, but it surely might be my final struggle.
“I’m getting a bit of bit drained. I’m going to take a break, give it some thought and see how I really feel and have the dialog with PFL, and I’m going to determine after that.”
Whereas the PFL was constructed across the season-long format, the promotion already plans to alter issues up in 2024 with the launch of the “tremendous struggle” collection on pay-per-view, which is predicted to incorporate former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in his PFL debut.
That choice is also out there to Aubin-Mercier, particularly if he’s topped a two-time PFL champion. However that’s not likely what’s weighing on his thoughts.
“To be trustworthy, nothing actually excites me,” he stated. “I don’t actually care. If I’ve yet one more struggle to do, I would really like it to be in Montreal. If it’s not in Montreal, I don’t even suppose I’m going to do it. I do perceive they gained’t come right here to a do a pay-per-view in Montreal simply due to me. I’m going to speak to PFL. We’re going to see the choices.
“However my objective is to deliver PFL to Montreal, and if that doesn’t occur, I don’t really feel helpful for individuals in Quebec or individuals in PFL. I’m at that time the place I wish to do extra. I don’t simply wish to struggle. I wish to have a objective with the struggle that I’m going to do. My objective is to deliver the PFL and I believe that might be it.”
As a lot as Aubin-Mercier needs to deliver the PFL to his hometown, that’s not going to be his first precedence after preventing Collard on Friday. Greater than something, he simply needs an prolonged break to relaxation his thoughts and physique after two grueling years within the PFL match.
Based on Aubin-Mercier, he must hit the reset button, and that may enable him the time to achieve readability on presumably preventing once more or not.
“For positive, I’m going to take a giant break after that [fight],” he stated. “Not even an choice. Take a giant break after this struggle. A 12 months minimal so let’s see what occurs.
“That’s why I don’t put an excessive amount of stress on myself, I’ll have a 12 months to consider that.”
Since leaving the UFC, Aubin-Mercier has rattled off 9 consecutive wins in a row with three knockouts in his previous 4 fights. It seems these peak performances have really performed a component in his considering retirement, as a result of there’s no higher technique to exit than on prime.
“It’s a harmful sport,” he stated. “A 12 months might be a giant distinction on this sport. I really feel in coaching, I don’t really feel like I’m any much less good than earlier than. Truly, I really feel higher than I did earlier than. With that being stated, generally in coaching it’s totally different.
“Like I stated, I’m going to do my final struggle this 12 months and it might be it. If that’s it, the whole lot is ideal in my thoughts. End on a 10-fight successful streak, 25 fights, two world titles, it’s going to be nice. I’m not likely anxious about my future. It could be actually nice to depart the game like this.”
