Canadian Olivier (The Canadian Gangster) Aubin-Mercier celebrates after knocking out Scotland’s Stevie (Braveheart) Ray to win the Professional Fighters League lightweight title on Nov. 25, 2022, at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-PFL-Cooper Neill **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Olivier (The Canadian Gangster) Aubin-Mercier didn't go crazy with the US$1-million cheque he won with the Professional Fighters League lightweight title in November.

Unlike other MMA promotions, the PFL features a regular season and playoffs, culminating in championship bouts with a title and US$1 million on the line. Aubin-Mercier knocked out Scotland's Stevie (Braveheart) Ray with one punch in the second round Nov. 25 to claim both prizes at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The 34-year-old from Montreal did some travelling after the win, visiting France and Mexico and spent time with his family over Christmas.

"I didn't really spoil myself," he said. "I bought some little things. I bought a bidet."

The Cadillac of bidets, complete with a heated seat and warm air — "a soft wind," in his words.

Aubin-Mercier also splurged on "an expensive Pokemon card" — reportedly for some $12,000 — and a home theatre speaker, only to kick himself after realizing it was from a company that sponsors the PFL.

A connoisseur of good food and wine, he also ate well. As a result, the 155-pound champion hit 190 pounds.

"I know I went a little bit crazy this time," he said with a laugh. "I've never been that big."

Aubin-Mercier (17-5-0) returns to action Friday when he takes in American (Hurricane) Shane Burgos, who is making his PFL debut, in the PFL 3 main event at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

Like Aubin-Mercier, Burgos (15-3-0) is a UFC alumnus. The 32-year-old American defeated Canadian Charles (Air) Jourdain last time out in July, completing an 8-3-0 run in the UFC.

"I think it's a fun matchup and it's fun to be the main event," said Aubin-Mercier, who is headlining a card for the first time.

The Jourdain fight was the last on Burgos' contract. UFC president Dana White wished him well in PFL.

"I like the kid," White said in August when Burgos made the move. "Do I think Shane Burgos was going to move on and be a world champion here and all this? No. But he's fun. I like guys that come out and they bring it every single time they fight and guys who want to perform, guys who want to win. Who has it more than that kid does?

"So I'm happy for him. And good for the PFL, too."

Burgos is moving up to lightweight (155 pounds) from featherweight (145 pounds) to face the Canadian.

Aubin-Mercier toyed with the idea of taking a longer break from fighting after winning the title but eventually returned to the gym two months ago, preparing to enter the fray again.

"In the beginning, I didn't want to to do it but I decided to do it and now I'm happy," he said. "I'm enjoying it."

How long he continues to fight is up in the air beyond this year, he acknowledged. Cage-fighting is a tough way to make a living.

"Last year was really hard. I like it so much I want to do it. But I'm starting to get tired," he said. "I'm going to do it for sure this year. I'm going to have fun. Then we'll see what happens."

Aubin-Mercier was a cast member of "The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia'' reality TV show, losing a split decision to fellow Canadian Chad (The Disciple) Laprise in the finale in April 2014. He won seven of his next eight UFC fights before losing three straight and making the switch to the PFL.

In the PFL 3 co-main event, 2022 welterweight champion Sadibou Sy of Sweden takes on Jarrah (The Jordanian Lion) Al-Silawi.

Also on the card, Ray faces Brazilian Natan (Russo) Schulte, a two-time PFL lightweight champion. Brazil's Raush (Cavalo de Guerra) Manfio, the 2021 PFL lightweight titleholder, takes on Paraguay's Alexander Martinez.

The 2023 PFL season kicked off April 1 with PFL 1 in Las Vegas.

Aubin-Mercier won both his regular-season fights last year, winning a split decision over Schulte at PFL 1 in April and a unanimous decision over Manfio at PFL 4 in June. He then won a unanimous decision over Martinez at PFL 7 in August to move into the final against Ray.

He has won all six of his PFL bouts since leaving the UFC.

"I think I got in the UFC a little bit too fast. I was too young," he said. "Not enough experience. I didn't have time to work on some stuff and when I was in the UFC, I was fighting, taking a break, fighting again, taking a break, so I didn't really have time to work on myself.

"And when I got out of the UFC, I had some time to work on myself. With COVID (the pandemic), I had even more time. So I think I got a lot better the last couple of years."

Largely due to the pandemic, he had a break of 23 months between his last fight in the UFC (July 2019) and his debut in the PFL (June 2021).

Aubin-Mercier has made changes to his routine since leaving the UFC, reducing his sparring while focusing more on technique. He trains at both H2O MMA and Tristar, at home in Montreal to be close to his 11-year-old daughter.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2023

News from © The Canadian Press, 2023