PFL 3 2023 Regular Season: The Theater At Virgin Hotels; Las Vegas
One of the things they say in sports is: “winning ugly is still winning”. And for the Professional Fighters League lightweight defending champion, Olivier-Aubin Mercier; “ugly” was the perfect game plan.
The former UFC fighter Shane Burgos has always been dangerous until the final second and that was almost the case again. “Hurricane” started off chopping away on the legs of Mercier. Normally Mercier would be darting in and out decided to stay in close. Which is a big shock. He pawed out a solid jab, and decent left hand. While they were both aggressive, they also were both being very calculating with their attacks.
Then the duo started to pick up the pace. And that’s when the 34-year old Canadian through in his grappling for the rest of the contest. He suffocated the Long Islander, taking him down to the mat four-times. And he frustrated him with a body triangle he couldn’t get out of.
With a couple of seconds left, Burgos got out and started a wild flurry along the cage. However, the writing and the decision were already well in hand. Mercier extends his win streak to seven since leaving the UFC, with six coming on the scorecards.
Winning Ugly Is Still Winning… But Is It Enough
The lightweight division isn’t littered with anyone that will be talked about as an all-time great. But, they are all serviceable fighters. Mercier, looking to go back-to-back champion may have to face Burgos again at the end of the season.
And landing 96-of-157 strikes is proof that coming up from featherweight was a good move for Burgos. Natan Schulte is the only fighter this year trying to become a three-time champion. And he too did not have a finish, but he grabbed a unanimous decision win also.
So the division is as wide open as the Grand Canyon with nobody separating themselves from the pack. Mercier out of all though, looked to have a more controlling victory. If his grappling of him remains the way it is, and with a somewhat improved stiking game, he may have himself another million dollars come the end of 2023.
Of course should two-sport star Clay Collard keep breaking down fighters bodies… he may have a big say in that.
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