Preview: PFL 6 ‘Aubin-Mercier vs. Romero’

Repeat bids for Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Sadibou Sy are still very much in play as the Professional Fighters League closes out its 2023 regular season on Friday at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta.

PFL 6 puts the spotlight on the lightweight and welterweight divisions, with defending 155-pound champion Aubin-Mercier facing Anthony Romero in the main event. On the heels of a decision win over Shane Burgos at PFL 3, “The Canadian Gangster” still likely has more work to do to assure himself a postseason berth. Sy, meanwhile, is in a better position as he prepares to meet Shane Mitchell in the 170-pound co-feature after a second-round stoppage of Jarrah Al-Silawi in his first regular-season outing.

Regardless of how the situation plays out, talent abounds on this card, with the likes of Burgos, Magomed Magomedkerimov, Magomed Umalatov and Clay Collard all vying for playoff spots and a chance at $1 million. The PFL 6 main card airs on ESPN and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, while prelims stream to ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

Now to the PFL 6 “Aubin-Mercier vs. Romero” preview:

Lightweights

Olivier Aubin-Mercier (18-5, 7-0 PFL) vs. Anthony Romero (12-1, 0-0 PFL)

ODDS: Aubin-Mercier (-550), Romero (+375)

After a memorable 2022 campaign that saw him capture the lightweight championship, Aubin-Mercier kicked off the new season by upending prized free agent signee Shane Burgos at PFL 3. The Canadian showcased his improved striking by outlanding Burgos in Round 1 before shifting to his bread-and-butter of clinch work and control over the final 10 minutes to secure a clear-cut decision triumph. Aubin-Mercier is a far more capable striker than he was during his UFC tenure, as he works well behind his jab and kicks to the legs and body. He has also flashed some decent power in his hands at various times throughout his PFL stint. Still, Aubin-Mercier is a grappler at his core, and he will bank rounds by stifling opponents with clinch work, takedowns and control. “The Canadian Gangster” has not won a fight by submission since 2016, but he is adept at attaching himself to the back—he made Burgos carry him like a backpack—and forcing foes to defend chokes while draining valuable seconds off the clock.

Romero has proven himself to be a well-rounded, polished fighter since beginning his professional career in 2015. He was dominant in a win over Antonio Caruso on the PFL Challenger Series, utilizing pressure and chain wrestling while nearly finishing the fight with his right hand in Round 2. “The Genius” also appeared on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020, and though he was the only one of the five winners on that card not to receive a UFC contract, he still displayed punishing leg kicks in a decision win over Mike Breeden.

Aubin-Mercier enters as the clear favorite, but as Brendan Loughnane’s upset loss to Jesus Pinedo showed, it can be quite difficult to repeat as a PFL champion with the league’s demanding schedule. Romero is a worthy foe, and he is capable of holding his own in virtually every aspect of the fight. Still, Aubin-Mercier is adept at prevailing in closely contested fights, and his ability to shift gears and control the action with his grappling could prove to be the difference. Aubin-Mercier takes a decision to extend his winning streak to eight.

Continue Reading » Sy vs. Mitchell