PFL 6 Recap: Olivier Aubin-Mercier Dominates with Impressive Knockout; Shane Burgos Falls Short of Playoffs
Olivier Aubin-Mercier showcased his supremacy in the PFL lightweight division once again.
As the reigning champion from 2022, Aubin-Mercier (19-5) solidified his position as the front-runner in this year’s regular season with a spectacular knockout of Anthony Romero (12-2) at PFL 6. The event took place at Atlanta’s Overtime Elite Arena.
Despite a shaky start, where he was rocked by a crescent kick in the first round and dealt with multiple accidental clashes of heads in the second, Aubin-Mercier found his rhythm just 28 seconds into the third round. He landed a perfectly timed left knee strike that sent Romero crashing down, securing his spot in the 2023 lightweight playoffs and maintaining his unbeaten record in the promotion.
Since joining PFL after a 12-fight stint with the UFC, Aubin-Mercier has remained undefeated, boasting a flawless 8-0 record.
Seeded second in the lightweight division, Aubin-Mercier is set to face Natan Schulte, the 2018 and 2019 PFL champion, in the semifinals. Both fighters will vie for the ultimate prize of $1 million.
In the co-main event, Sadibou Sy (15-6-2) continued to impress in his pursuit of back-to-back PFL welterweight titles.
The defending champion from 2022 delivered one of the most remarkable highlights of his five-year tenure in the PFL. He dismantled Shane Mitchell (13-6-0) with a walk-off spinning wheel kick at 1:35 of the third round. Although Sy had attempted the kick several times throughout the fight, it wasn’t until the third round that he connected cleanly, securing the victory.
Afterward, an elated Sy expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to grow in PFL and highlighted the evolution in his skills and performance over the seasons. With the win, Sy secured the second seed in the welterweight playoffs and earned a rematch against Carlos Leal, whom he defeated by decision in the 2022 semifinals.
Unfortunately, Shane Burgos’ first season with PFL concluded without a playoff appearance.
The UFC veteran secured his first victory under the PFL banner with a dominant unanimous decision over Yamato Nishikawa (21-5-6). However, despite the impressive win, it was not enough to keep Burgos (16-4) in contention for the $1 million grand prize. In order to advance into the lightweight playoffs, Burgos needed a first-round finish of Nishikawa, which he couldn’t achieve.
Magomed Magomedkerimov (32-6) continued to establish himself as a formidable presence in the PFL welterweight division.
The 2018 champion and 2021 runner-up swiftly dispatched David Zawada (18-9) with a first-round TKO. By doing so, Magomedkerimov secured the top seed in this year’s playoffs. Displaying his confidence, he expressed that he saw no threats in the division.
In a showdown between undefeated welterweights, Magomed Umalatov (14-0) emerged victorious over Nayib Lopez (16-1) after an intense battle.
Lopez displayed tremendous heart by surviving multiple near-finishes in the first round. Umalatov relentlessly attacked with an arm-triangle choke attempt and a flurry of strikes, but Lopez endured and turned the fight into a grueling war. Ultimately, Umalatov secured a unanimous decision victory and advanced to the welterweight playoffs as the fourth seed. He is now slated to face top-seeded Magomedkerimov in the semifinals.
Clay Collard (23-10) is aiming for success in his third PFL season.
The popular lightweight fighter earned his ticket to the 2023 playoffs in a spectacular fashion, ending Stevie Ray’s (25-13) run with a devastating second-round knockout. Collard survived Ray’s submission attempts in the opening round and then dropped him twice with punches in the second before finishing the fight with a barrage of grounded strikes and elbows.
With a flawless 2-0 record for the 2023 regular season, Collard secured his second PFL playoff appearance. He expressed his determination to go all the way and singled out Aubin-Mercier as the man to beat. Collard, the top seed in the lightweight playoffs, is set to face Bruno Miranda, the fourth seed, in the semifinals.
For complete PFL 6 results, please refer to the official event coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Knockouts
What were the highlights of PFL 6?
Olivier Aubin-Mercier delivered a stunning knee knockout, Sadibou Sy showcased a remarkable spinning wheel kick, and Clay Collard secured a devastating second-round knockout. These were the standout moments from PFL 6.
Did Olivier Aubin-Mercier secure a spot in the playoffs?
Yes, Olivier Aubin-Mercier’s victory in PFL 6 earned him a place in the 2023 lightweight playoffs, where he will face Natan Schulte in the semifinals.
Did Shane Burgos make it to the playoffs?
No, despite his dominant unanimous decision victory, Shane Burgos did not qualify for the playoffs due to the requirement of a first-round finish in his fight against Yamato Nishikawa.
Who will Sadibou Sy face in the welterweight playoffs?
Sadibou Sy, as the second seed in the welterweight division, will have a rematch against Carlos Leal in the semifinals of the playoffs.
What is at stake in the PFL playoffs?
The PFL playoffs offer a chance to compete for the ultimate prize of $1 million in each weight division. Fighters strive to advance through the playoffs and emerge as the champions of their respective weight classes.
More about Knockouts
- PFL Official Website
- Olivier Aubin-Mercier’s Profile
- Sadibou Sy’s Profile
- Clay Collard’s Profile
- PFL 6 Event Recap
3 comments
Aubin-Mercier is on fire! His knee knockout was jaw-dropping. Burgos fought hard, but tough luck. Sy’s spinning wheel kick was a highlight for sure. The PFL playoffs are gonna be intense with these incredible fighters. Can’t wait for the showdowns!
olivier aubin-mercier totally rocked it with his sick knee knockout! shane burgos missed out on playoffs tho, tough break bro 🙁 sadibou sy’s spinning wheel kick was da bomb! can’t wait for the pfl playoffs, gonna be epic!!
WOW, Aubin-Mercier’s knockout was insane! He’s a beast in the lightweight division. Burgos put on a great show too, but playoffs slipped away. And Sy’s spinning kick? Mind-blowing! Can’t wait for the high-stakes PFL playoffs, gonna be a wild ride!