Olivier Aubin-Mercier takes out Stevie Ray with one punch to become new PFL lightweight $1 million winner

Olivier Aubin-Mercier was having some trouble in the second round. Rather than go to the third, he just took Stevie Ray out, instead.

Aubin-Mercier (17-5) knocked out Ray (25-11) late in the second round to win the 2022 PFL lightweight season and the $1 million prize. The Canadian’s stoppage win came with 20 seconds left in the frame and came not long after he got back to his feet after Ray controlled him on the canvas for several minutes.

Aubin-Mercier controlled things in the first round and took Ray off his feet several times with low kicks. But in the second, Ray turned an Aubin-Mercier kick into an opportunity on the canvas. He locked the Canadian up with a body triangle and made Aubin-Mercier defend choke attempts and short strikes for several minutes. But with 90 seconds left in the round, Aubin-Mercier broke away and got back to his feet.

Just when it looked like Aubin-Mercier was going to cruise to Round 3 for a reset, though, he threw a right hook that drilled Ray in the jaw. Ray was out in a hurry and Aubin-Mercier had a one-punch knockout to win $1 million.

Aubin-Mercier’s win was part of his continued career rally. Three years ago, he found himself outside the UFC after a three-fight skid. He came to the PFL in 2021 and improved to 6-0 with the promotion with the win over Ray. But Friday’s knockout was his first PFL finish – and first stoppage overall since April 2018.

The 2022 PFL finals took place at Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2022 PFL Championships.

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie