Past UFC, now PFL fighter, Olivier Aubin-Mercier aka “The Canadian Gangsta“, or just O.A.M. for short, talked to Ariel Helwani today on the MMA Hour about his recent victory over Stevie Ray to become the lightweight season winner.
In the interview talked about his relationship and experience he attained from former champion and UFC fighter Georges St.Pierre, who was there at his fight in support.
The French Canadian detailed how happy he was for him, and how he was giddy like a kid when Olivier left some strong words leaving the cage saying.
“Quebec is back Tabarnak”.
He also detailed the surprise of the knockout he got because he has never had that before, he does have 2 TKO’s but never flatlined someone,
“I thought it was a possibility but it never happened to me, it’s different from a TKO or a submission, you kinda feel when the end is coming”.
O.A.M. gave the juicy insides we were all wondering about the pay comparison between PFL and the UFC, but also detailed that he thinks the fighters choices are the problem and not the promotions,
“I think truly the problem is those fighters that decide to go to the UFC instead of the PFL just because of the big name”.
He also detailed the perception of life in the PFL,
“I think people are going to understand pretty soon that you can live a really good life if you go to the PFL and a lot more people are going to try to come to the PFL instead of the UFC, and I think I am a great example”.
When he detailed his life in the UFC in comparison, he didn’t have a good light to shine when it came to treatment,
“When I was in the UFC I didn’t really feel respected, I felt like a number, with PFL I don’t feel like a number”.
But with the PFL he had a bright light to shine saying,
“With PFL I dont feel like a number, I love the people working their, I feel respected”.
Adding that not everything is perfect on the other side of the fence,
“I feel maybe they [PFL] can change some stuff and I feel like my voice is heard too, if I tell them i think it is not the right way, they listen to me, atleast they listen to me and are respectful of that”.
Of all, he is most happy about his win, but he did finish off on the subject stating
“I feel more respected in the PFL, and richer, than in UFC”.
Image courtesy of MMA Hour.
