Olivier
Aubin-Mercier had previously hinted that he would be taking a
hiatus from mixed martial arts following the conclusion of the 2023
Professional Fighters League season.
Advertisement
Now his absence will likely be much longer than that.
Aubin-Mercier officially announced his retirement on Wednesday in a
post on his Instagram account.
“Feeling incredibly grateful today as I hang up my gloves, I must
give a massive shout out to [the PFL],” he wrote. “PFL believed in
me. They recognized a fighter in a kid from Quebec who just
wouldn’t quit. It has been an honor to step into the cage under
their banner.
“As I move on from competition, I hope that the path I’ve trodden
serves as an invitation to other Quebecois fighters. May you find
in the PFL the same support, the same faith, and the same
opportunities to showcase our Québécois tenacity.
“To everyone behind the scenes who has been part of this
journey—merci from the bottom of my heart. I had so much fun with
you guys, even though I was probably a massive douchebag during
those fight weeks. It’s been the fight of a lifetime. Here’s to the
next round, whatever it may be!
“PFL, you’ve been the corner team everyone deserves. Merci pour
tout.”
Aubin-Mercier earned his second consecutive lightweight title at
the PFL Championships last week, as he took a five-round verdict
over Clay
Collard in the evening’s main event. “The Canadian Gangster”
signed with the PFL on the heels of three consecutive losses in the
UFC. He turned things around in his new home, winning 10 straight
fights and a pair of 155-pound championships in PFL
competition.
Aubin-Mercier exits the sport with a 21-5 mark after beginning his
professional tenure in 2011. The Tristar Gym representative secured
notable wins over the likes of Collard, Shane
Burgos, Steven Ray,
Natan
Schulte, Marcin Held,
Evan
Dunham and Drew Dober
over the course of his career.