The motivation for Olivier Aubin-Mercier is no longer the same, but he has decided to play one more season in the PFL. He wants to defend the title he won last year, but also offer his family more comfort.
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• Also read: Olivier Aubin-Mercier does not regret his choice
And it all starts with a character trait that he learned as he grew older.
“I didn’t realize it when I was young, but I’m still lazy, I want to work as little as possible and have as much freedom as possible.
“There are rare jobs where you can make money and be financially and physically free if you don’t work 9 to 5, and I found it. I love training, I love fighting a little less, but it gives me freedom.
It gave me time with my family and the people I love.”
Not quite
However, by deciding to defend his title this year he has done the opposite of his intended goal, but it is only a postponement and he has taken the means to ensure he keeps his promise.
“I wanted to rest because I felt tired, but I thought I should do it here one last time.
“Last year I told my daughter Lili: “Don’t worry, I’ll go on vacation next summer, I’ll get sick.” And in the end, that summer was the worst because I had to train. But she’s really good, she understood. But now, next summer, it would be over and she is super happy, we have already bought the tickets for the holiday.”
And if this season is indeed his last, he is not closing the door to a one-off fight whose conditions would suit him. But before that, he will focus on what he likes to do.
simplicity
“My life is still pretty simple. I like folding my laundry, I like making my bed, being with my friends, family, daughter and girlfriend.
“I just bought a duplex and can’t wait to look after it when I have time. The first thing we’ll do is take care of the yard because it’s an asphalt parking lot and we want greenery.”
He’s not afraid of idleness when he retires from the sport, but he knows he has to have plans.
“I just have to motivate myself, being happy is easy for me. I like video games, I’ll finally be able to finish some games. I want to finish Red Dead Redemption. Everyone tells me it’s the best game, so I want to see it.”
We confirm it is a true masterpiece.
“I’m easy to talk to, I’m interested in learning something new. My challenge this year is to become a little more manual. The guys always respected me because I knew how to fight, but when I’m not able to set a framework, that’s problematic. I need to buy a drill.”
On TV
Olivier Aubin-Mercier is very friendly, has insight and is interested in many things. It’s no surprise, then, that he’s thinking about television. In any case, television is thinking of him.
“I was still contacted quite often, especially after last year. I wouldn’t say I was offered jobs, but it was implicit that if you quit, call us.
“I would like to do a travel show to learn about martial arts. There aren’t too many lyrics, which is perfect for me who has trouble remembering them. I always want to learn and get paid for it too, let’s go!”
After spending a little over two hours with him for this report, we want to watch a TV show where he is the star. There would be no flat second, as Marc Labrèche would say.