Olivier Aubin-Mercier was eager to return to the win column tonight (Sat., ) in front of a proud hometown crowd at UFC 240, which took place inside Rogers Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, after suffering back-to-back losses for the first time in his mixed martial arts (MMA) career.
However, his opponent, Arman Tsarukyan, had other ideas, grinding Mercier into the canvas for a large portion of the 15-minute bout to earn a unanimous decision victory.
Tsarukyan got the action going early, closing the distance and angling to take Mercier down to the canvas. Mercier defended well along the fence, nailing Tsarukyan with a solid knee to the face when the returned to the center of the Octagon. Tsarukyan scored a takedown moments later after eating a solid head kick, getting behind Mercier and peppering him with short shots along the fence. Tsarukyan continued to work relentlessly to get the Canadian off the fence, but Mercier’s defense was just too stubborn. Tsarukyan opted to just unload knees to Mercier’s thighs as the round came to a close much to the chagrin of the restless crowd.
Mercier came out seemingly determined to start the second stanza, but Tsarukyan fired several hard shots before diving in for a single-leg takedown. Mercier was able to step out and reverse Tsarukyan along the fence, tripping the Armenian to the mat momentarily. Back on their feet, Mercier nailed Tsarukyan with several hard body kicks and then drilled him with a shot upstairs that appeared to hurt him. Tsarukyan was able to weather the storm and eventually dove in for another takedown attempt, which Mercier once again defended expertly. Tsarukyan fired a straight left down the middle that landed hard, but Mercier was unfazed. The pair shadow boxed for the remainder of the round.
The fight appeared to be up for grabs heading into the third and final frame. Tsarukyan’s corner encouraged him to have a strong round and he immediately scored with a hard right hand, which he followed with an unsuccessful takedown attempt. Mercier charged in with a combination, eating some shots on his way in, and was able to transition it into a takedown. However, Tsarukyan quickly reversed position and postured up in full guard, but he was unable to land any significant shots. Mercier, meanwhile, landed some solid elbows from bottom position, while the referee warned Tsarukyan to get busier. Tsarukyan continued to grind Mercier into the canvas, with Mercier attempting various submissions off his back that never were never serious threats.
It wasn’t pretty, but Tsarukyan was effective. He was able to neutralize a very talented opponent to score his first-ever win inside the Octagon. Tsarukyan hasn’t had any creampuffs to start his UFC career, and if he continues on this track, don’t expect anything to change for the 22-year-old hopeful.