Canadian Oliver Aubin-Mercier, the 2022 Professional Fighters League (PFL) lightweight champion, will welcome former UFC veteran Shane Burgos to the organization. The fight takes place on the 2023 PFL 3 preliminary card next Friday (14) at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.

Last division champion, Aubin-Mercier surprised by saying that he fears that due to the style of his opponent, he will not do very well in the organization. The PFL has a different fighting system than other organizations, with many fights in a short time.

– Am I afraid for Burgos? Yes. I don’t think he will win the tournament. Even though I think he’s the best in the tournament, I don’t think he’s going to win because he’s very… He takes risks. He really is a shaman. He likes frank exchanges, he likes to exchange a lot of blows. (But) He also takes a lot of hits, and I think in the PFL things are going to be more difficult. I think he’s going to have a hard time adjusting and may have to change his style a bit. That said, I’m going to fight the best of Shane Burgos,” Aubin-Mercier told MMA Junkie Radio.

The 34-year-old fighter understands that his fighting style – a heavier grappling approach – isn’t the most exciting, but he’s only worried about getting his hand up at the end of fights. A strategy that worked well in 2022, when he became PFL champion.

– My goal is not to be the most fun fighter. There are many more people willing to do this and sacrifice their health for it. My goal is to win. I change my style of course every year, but really my goal is to win. Last year my fight with (Raush) Manfio wasn’t the most fun. It was probably the most boring fight ever, but my goal was to win this fight and I personally don’t care (to make fights fun). Of course, for the fans it might not be the best thing, but my goal is to be the best I can be – he explained.

O fight broadcasts PFL 3 live this Friday from 8 p.m. (Brasilia time). Check out the full map below:

PFL 3 – 2023
April 14, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. (Brasilia time), in Las Vegas (USA)
MAIN CARD:
Welterweight: Sadibou Sy x Jarrah Al-Silawi
Lightweight: Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Ben Egli
Lightweight: Natan Schulte vs. Stevie Ray
Lightweight: Raush Manfio vs. Alexander Martinez
Welterweight: Shane Mitchell vs. Nayib Lopez
Lightweight: Bruno Robusto vs. Ahmed Amir
Welterweight: Brandon Jenkins vs. Zach Juusola
PRELIMINARY MAP:
Lightweight: Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Shane Burgos
Lightweight: Clay Collard vs. Yamato Nishikawa
Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov vs. Patrick Brady
Welterweight: Carlos Leal vs. David Zawada
Welterweight: Magomed Umalatov vs. Dilano Taylor