Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Gilbert Burns

Round 1
“The Canadian Gangster” and “Durinho” face off in a match of promising lightweights looking to get back on track after losses, with Yves Lavigne set to referee. The southpaw Aubin-Mercier comes out throwing hard, tight punching combos, while the orthodox Burns throws a variety of kicks, including a head kick in the opening seconds. Two minutes in, Burns, executes a beautiful hip throw, slamming Aubin-Mercier to the canvas against the fence. Aubin-Mercier gets to his feet, but Burns is relentless. Finally they break and return to exchanging on the feet. Out of nowhere, Burns drops the Canadian with a left hook and swarms with punches and hammerfists. Aubin-Mercier is in serious trouble. Burns takes the back of Aubin-Mercier and locks in a body triangle. Burns is patient, looking for a choke or armbar, but too patient; by the time he isolates and arm and begins to peel off, the 10-second clapper has sounded. The horn sounds. 10-9 Burns.

Round 2
Aubin-Mercier is again aggressive to start the second round. He is also showing quite the welt on his left side from Burns’ kicks. Aubin-Mercier is coming forward with hard kicks and punches, while Burns is throwing very little back. Suddenly Burns throws a right that staggers Aubin-Mercier, but the Canadian recovers before he can take advantage. Burns is more active now, throwing hard single shots and kicks. With less than a minute left he runs Aubin-Mercier to the canvas, throwing a few strikes against the fence, but not much can develop before the round ends. 10-9 Burns.

Round 3
The final frame opens and it appears Aubin-Mercier feels he is behind. He comes forward throwing punch combinations and hard kicks. Burns ties him up against the fence. 90 seconds in, the action has slowed on the feet. Burns drops for a single-leg and takes Aubin-Mercier down with ease. Burns is heavy on top, working against the fence to pass. Burns passes Aubin-Mercier’s half-guard and slips effortlessly to the back, where he locks in a body triangle. He fishes first for a choke, then briefly for a kneebar. With a minute left, Burns is in total control, switching between throwing punches and looking for the rear-naked choke. With 20 seconds left, Aubin-Mercier slips out the back door. They meet in the center of the cage and the crowd roars as the two swing until the final horn. 10-8 Burns (30-26 Burns).

The Official Result
Gilbert Burns def. Olivier Aubin-Mercier via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Alexander Hernandez

Round 1
Aubin-Mercier clinches up behind a right hand and gets a knee to the gut before Hernandez separates and circles away. Aubin-Mercier presses forward, narrowly missing with a left high kick before dipping into range and clinching again. The lightweights trade knees as they grapple on the fence, splitting with 3:30 on the clock. Hernandez bounds into range with an uppercut, then latches on to a single-leg as he pushes Aubin-Mercier against a cage post. The fighters clinch twice more, each time trading knees to the body. Hernandez winds up in the outside position, looking for a takedown, but Aubin-Mercier spins him around and moves back to the center. Aubin-Mercier puts a right hand on Hernandez's chin, then hits him with a knee in the Thai clinch, The fighters seem to be clashing heads quite a bit as they rumble into the pocket and tie up. Hernandez digs an underhook and pushes Aubin-Mercier to the wall, where he's warned by referee Marc Goddard for an inadvertant illegal knee. The fighters separate with 45 seconds on the clock, and Hernandez pushes forward with a right hand that catches Aubin-Mercier slipping. Another clinch ensues, and Hernandez completes his first takedown in the final 20 seconds.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Hernandez
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Hernandez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hernandez

Round 2
Hernandez picks up where he left off, completing another takedown in the first 20 seconds of round two. Aubin-Mercier works back to his feet, however, and when Hernandez tries to do it again, Aubin-Mercier forces the Texan to the floor. Aubin-Mercier gets hold of a kimura, switches to a straight armbar as he flattens out Hernandez on the ground. The Canadian loses the submission attempt but remains in top position, setting up in Hernandez' half guard with 3:30 left in the round. Hernandez tries to put Aubin-Mercier in butterfly guard, but the "Quebec Kid" quickly passes back to half guard. Hernandez tries to burst back to his feet, leaving Aubin-Mercier in an awkward reverse-mount position. After stepping out of mount, Aubin-Mercier pulls guard, and now it's Hernandez on top with two minutes left to fight. Referee Goddard quickly orders the fighters back to their feet. Hernandez goes straight after another takedown, then abandons the attempt in favor of a body-head combination. Hernandez gives Aubin-Mercier no breathing room in the final 20 seconds, bringing him to his knees near the fence and landing a few short left hands as time expires.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Hernandez
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Hernandez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hernandez

Round 3
Hernandez goes straight after another takedown but winds up holding Aubin-Mercier on the fence, where he hits the Canadian with a knee to the groin. Aubin-Mercier takes a moment to recover, while referee Goddard issues a warning to the American for the inadvertant foul. Moments after the restart, Hernandez drives Aubin-Mercier to the ground at the base of the fence. Aubin-Mercier closes his guard as his head is shoved against the fence, and Hernandez postures up to land some right hands to the body. It's not enough action for referee Goddard who issues a stand-up command after a few moments of inactivity. Hernandez is undeterred, immediately shooting for and completing another takedown at the base of the wall. Aubin-Mercier sits up and drives forward, standing up to attempt a double-leg of his own. Hernandez widens his base at the fence, resisting the takedown for a few seconds but ultimately finding himself on his back. Aubin-Mercier works from the top with just over 70 seconds remaining, and the young Canadian may need something special to win this round. In a brilliant move, with Aubin-Mercier in his half guard, Hernandez sits up and pins down Aubin-Mercier's right leg, then takes his back in one smooth motion. Aubin-Mercier spends the final 10 seconds defending his neck while eating short right hands from the back.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Hernandez (30-27 Hernandez)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Hernandez (30-27 Hernandez)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hernandez (30-27 Hernandez)

The Official Result
Alexander Hernandez def. Olivier Aubin-Mercier via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00