OAM Retires: ‘I Don’t Have It Anymore’

Olivier Aubin-Mercier has called it a career.

Aubin-Mercier picked up his second straight PFL Lightweight championship and one million dollar prize at the 2023 PFL Championships (Fri., Nov. 24, 2023) when he defeated Clay Collard via unanimous decision from inside The Anthem in Washington D.C (watch highlights).

Before the fight, “The Canadian Gangster” teased that he would retire from active competition several times because of the intense schedule that he was on for two straight years, and after his win on Fri., he confirmed he is calling it a career.

“I don’t know how I’m feeling to tell you the truth. It’s a weird sensation, like since the beginning of the day. I felt that I don’t anymore,” Aubin-Mercier told MMA Junkie after his win. “ I don’t feel I don’t feel the butterflies anymore. It feels like it’s just a normal day for me. Look, I knew it was my last time, but it was a strange feeling to tell you the truth.”

The 34-year-old believes he is the best he has ever been, but he regrets not spending time with his family, which is one of the big reasons he is walking away on top.

“I think [I’m retired]. Like, yeah, for sure. I’ll leave the door open, but I’m gonna take a year off for sure. And you know, it’s hard for athletes to come back after a year. So the feeling that I have – it’s my last time,” Aubin-Mercier said. “It’s good money. But the truth is, I want to see my family, I want to pass some time with my family. And right now, I’m really, really happy with that…in my mind, I’m done. So I’m gonna sleep better than last year. That’s for sure.”

“OAM” went 10-0 in PFL, winning the 2022 and 2023 Lightweight tournaments. He defeated former PFL champions Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio and spoiled Shane Burgos’ PFL debut. Aubin-Mercier ends his career with a 21-5 record with eight submission wins and four knockouts.

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