Defending PFL lightweight champion Olivier Aubain Mercier was sent off. to fellow Canadian Anthony Romero in the third round on Friday night to qualify for the playoffs.
Aubin Mercier (19-5) hit Romero (12-2) with a wild knee to the chin 28 seconds into the third round.
This victory in his second and final regular season fight allows him to claim second place in the division. In the semi-finals, he will face Brazilian Natan Schulte, who defeated Rausch-Manfew by decision earlier in the evening. American Clay Collard and Brazilian Bruno Miranda will participate in the other semi-finals.
Aubin Mercier attacked Romero with one blow early in the fight, but his opponent quickly came to his senses and returned the courtesy moments later with a kick to the chin.
Aubin-Mercier then had the upper hand in the second half of the first round, hitting the target with several combinations, but Romero showed he could take punches.
Romero fared better in the second round, which was briefly stopped three times due to headfights between the two fighters.
Determined not to leave the outcome in the hands of the judges, Aubin Mercier then finished the job with a devastating knee kick at the start of the third round.
Last year, Quebec took the title and the million dollars that come with passing K.-O. by Stevie Ray.
In the penultimate fight of the ceremony, welterweight champion Sadibo Sy (15-6) defeated K.-O. to Shane Mitchell (13-6) with a powerful jab to the head in the third round and advanced to the playoffs for the fifth year in a row.
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