PFL 3: Olivier Aubin-Mercier spoils PFL debut of Shane Burgos (Video)

Olivier Aubin-Mercier utilizes his grappling, survives late flurry from Shane Burgos, as Aubin-Mercier scores the win at PFL 3.

The PFL debut of Shane Burgos did not pan out for him, but Olivier Aubin-Mercier is off to a successful start in his mission to repeat as PFL lightweight champion.

Aubin-Mercier defeated Burgos in the main event of PFL 3, with Aubin-Mercier earning three points on a unanimous decision win.

The two got close from the get-go, trying to feel each other out and land inside. Aubin-Mercier worked his jab as both men landed leg kicks, neither really backing down from their forward pressure. OAM landed a decent body kick as the two continued to trade, though with a slower and more calculated pace.

PFL 3: Olivier Aubin-Mercier survives last-second flurry from Shane Burgos

Aubin-Mercier continued a decent striking output in the second, though Burgos landed a notable combination of his own. Aubin-Mercier pressed Burgos against the cage and scored a takedown. Burgos got to his feet, but Aubin-Mercier kept a hold of Burgos's back and eventually got into a standing backpack position. Aubin-Mercier got Burgos down once more late in the round with a foot sweep.

Aubin-Mercier got back to his grappling business in the third, pressing Burgos up against the cage once more and scoring a takedown about 90 seconds in. Though Burgos got back to his feet, he was taken down by OAM yet again about a minute later. Aubin-Mercier got in the standing backpack position again, which saw some comments from Burgos to the ref about stalling.

Burgos battered a tired Aubin-Mercier in the closing seconds of the fight, but he wasn't able to get the finish.

All three judges scored the fight 30-27 for OAM.

PFL 3: Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Shane Burgos takes place on Friday, April 14, 2023, live from The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, NV. Follow along with FanSided MMA for all your news and highlights.