Preview: PFL 3 ‘Aubin-Mercier vs. Burgos’

The Professional Fighters League will close out the first leg of its 2023 regular season with a card that is structured a little bit different than normal.

PFL 3 takes place on Friday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas and will begin with what is labeled as the Main Card on ESPN and ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. That portion of the event is headlined by a clash between defending lightweight champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier and prized free-agent acquisition Shane Burgos—a matchup fitting for the Worldwide Leader. In a change of pace, the show then shifts to the Late Card on ESPN+ at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT. To cap off the night, 2022 welterweight champion Sadibou Sy will square off against Jarrah Al-Silawi in the featured bout on this portion of the event. Like breakfast for dinner, a little chance of pace is always good every once in a while.

With lightweights and welterweights taking center stage, now to the PFL 3 “Aubin-Mercier vs. Burgos” preview:

Lightweights

Olivier Aubin-Mercier (17-5, 6-0 PFL) vs. Shane Burgos (15-3, 0-0 PFL)

ODDS: Aubin-Mercier (-145), Burgos (+115)

While UFC President Dana White admitted his company made a mistake by not re-signing Burgos when he became a free agent, perhaps the promotion should examine its decision to let Aubin-Mercier walk following a three-fight skid in 2019. The Canadian is not the action fighter Burgos is, but he has improved significantly in recent years, which allowed him to capture the PFL lightweight championship in 2022. “The Ultimate Fighter: Nations” cast member has long been known for his grappling, and Aubin-Mercier is still more than capable of banking rounds through takedowns, clinch work and control. His striking, however, is much better than it was during his UFC tenure. Not only does “The Canadian Gangster” display better movement on the feet, but his power was integral during his title run: He dropped Alexander Martinez twice in the 155-pound semifinals before knocking out Steven Ray with a left hook to capture $1 million in November. Additionally, Aubin-Mercier is capable of mixing kicks with his punches, enjoying success in particular with kicks to the legs and body.

Unlike some of the PFL’s other high-profile acquisitions in recent years, Burgos joins the league while still trending upward. He exited the UFC on a two-bout winning streak with an 8-3 overall mark in the Octagon, and at 32 years old, he still appears to be in his physical prime. While the Team Tiger Schulmann member made his name as an action fighter, his last UFC win over Charles Jourdain showcased his ability to rely on takedowns and grappling. That versatility is undeniably an attribute, but at his core, Burgos is a pressure fighter with an offensive-minded approach based on volume and durability. “Hurricane” will attack with punching combinations and low kicks, and when his opponent takes the bait and enters the exchange, Burgos is an excellent counterfighter with fight-ending power in his left look. His confidence in his chin can cost him, however, as Burgos has never backed off from absorbing punishment to force his kind of fight.

Despite moving up in weight, Burgos will be the taller and rangier fighter in this matchup. Aubin-Mercier cannot match the volume of his opponent on the feet, but he has enough power to finish Burgos there if the New Yorker gets careless. Still, the most intelligent approach for Aubin-Mercier would be to neutralize Burgos in the clinch and look to get the fight to the mat. Look for the more risk-averse Aubin-Mercier to fight a typically intelligent fight and capture a decision.

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