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Olivier Aubin-Mercier Reacts to Perceived Special Treatment for Anthony Pettis in PFL



Professional Fighters League has put its best foot forward when it comes to adding available big-name free agents to its roster.

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Those signings don’t always work out, but it’s no secret that it benefits the promotion to have stars succeed in the regular season and advance to the postseason. During a PFL media event on Wednesday, both Clay Collard and Olivier Aubin-Mercier reacted to what has been perceived as special treatment given to ex-UFC champ Anthony Pettis during the current season.

Collard claimed that Pettis was given “the easy man” in terms of first opponent, unheralded journeyman Myles Price, who was competing for the first time since 2019. Aubin-Mercier, meanwhile, understands why the promotion would want to see high-profile fighters do well.

“If I was the biggest name of PFL, I would probably have an easier path,” Aubin-Mercier said. I think it’s unfair, but to be honest I would have done the same thing if I was the PFL. I really do think they want Pettis in the tournament, I think they want (Jeremy Stephens) in the tournament. And I think that’s the best way to make PFL grow is to have those two in the tournament. So I do think it’s understandable, but I do think it’s unfair too.”

Aubin-Mercier went in depth discussing how the scheduling of Pettis’ fights could make for an uneven situation for his opponents. Pettis’ first bout against Price was rebooked two weeks later than the rest of the lightweights for undisclosed reasons, and his second outing — against Steven Ray — will take place on June 24 at PFL 2.

“I just saw (Price), and he’s a pretty big guy and to make your weight twice in a month and a half just because Pettis cannot fight the same day as everybody, I think it’s pretty unfair to him,” Aubin-Mercier said. “And I think it’s pretty unfair to Stevie Ray knocks Pettis out in the first round. What, he’s gonna fight in three weeks after that? That makes no sense. I think it’s a little bit unfair.”

Ultimately, Aubin-Mercier has more of an issue with the scheduling involving Pettis than the matchmaking. But he reiterates that he doesn’t fault the promotion for doing what it can to allow stars to succeed.

“Like I said, I think it’s understandable. The only thing I think is crazy is Pettis doesn’t fight the same day as us,” Aubin-Mercier said. “I think it’s OK that they have easier path. They’ve proved themselves. They can have it easy. For him to fight one or two weeks after, it’s not fair for his opponent and I feel bad for them.”

Aubin-Mercier will face Raush Manfio in a lightweight bout on the PFL 4 main card on Friday at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta. The evening’s main card airs on ESPN and ESPN+ beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
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