Kenny Florian credits PFL finalist Olivier Aubin-Mercier for recent finishes: 'Dude is an absolute problem'
Kenny Florian is impressed by the killer instinct Olivier Aubin-Mercier has shown in recent performances.
Aubin-Mercier (20-5) will look to claim his second consecutive $1 million lightweight season win when he meets Clay Collard (24-10-1) at 2023 PFL Championship on Friday at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. The event streams live on ESPN+ PPV.
Aubin-Mercier has scored knockouts or TKOs in three of his past four fights – his first finishes since April 2018. PFL analyst and commentator Florian thinks the UFC veteran is arguably one of the top three greatest Canadian fighters of all time, and raved about his evolution as a fighter.
“I think he’s without a question top five,” Florian told MMA Junkie Radio. “Certainly I think there’s a strong argument that he’s top three. You have Rory MacDonald, Georges St-Pierre, and he still has a bunch of years ahead of him, I think. I think when you talk about his overall game, his durability, his intelligence, and now his finishing ability, dude is an absolute problem.
“His size, he’s massive as a lightweight, and it seems like he always has an answer. Now he’s gotten to the point confidence-wise, momentum-wise where he can pick you apart then finish you. Whereas before, he’d pick you apart, outsmart you, outpoint you. But now, he’s really coming into his own as a mixed martial artist.”
Although Aubin-Mercier, who’s undefeated under the PFL banner, is only getting better as a fighter, he recently told MMA Junkie that’s he’s contemplating retirement after the 2023 PFL Championship.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2023 PFL Championship.