Olivier Aubin-Mercier gets a chance to set things right at home.
Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs Gilbert Burns
“The Canadian Gangster” is scheduled to face Gilbert “Durinho” Burns at UFC 231 in Toronto. UFC Canada announced the fight on Twitter.
First fight added to #UFC231 in Toronto! The ?? Gangster @OliAubin returns against @GilbertDurinho! pic.twitter.com/arcOzn9aVR
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) August 23, 2018
The two were previously scheduled to compete in February of this year. Burns, however, was pulled from the card while cutting weight. OAM had his four-fight winning streak snapped by rising contender Alexander Hernandez in Calgary on July 28. Burns is also coming off a loss, suffering a first-round knockout to Dan Hooker.
Aubin-Mercier vs Burns is the first fight announced for UFC 231 on December 8.
Stevie Ray vs Jessin Ayari
Elsewhere in Canada, popular Scotsman Stevie Ray will return to the octagon to face Tunisian-German Jessin Ayari. The bout will take place at UFC Fight Night: Moncton on October 27.
Another for #UFCMoncton! @StevenRayMMA faces @JessinAyari! pic.twitter.com/tw5O5SvLFw
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) August 23, 2018
Ray, 28, won five of six — including victories over veterans Ross Pearson and Joe Lauzon — before running into Paul Felder and Kajan Johnson. Ayari, 26, makes his UFC lightweight debut after a 1-1 stint in the welterweight division. He most recently came up short against top-ranked Darren Till in May 2017. UFC Moncton is headlined by heavy hitters Volkan Oezdemir and Anthony Smith.
Paul Craig vs Jim Crute
Speaking of the Scots, Paul Craig is set to return in a light-heavyweight bout opposite Australian newcomer Jim Crute. Craig last competed on the same card as Ray at UFC Fight Night: London, scoring an unbelievable last-second win over Magomed Ankalaev. Crute holds an undefeated 8-0 professional record and was picked up by the UFC after impressing Dana White on Tuesday Night Contender Series. The bout was confirmed by MMA Fighting.
The pair will square off at UFC Fight Night 142 in Adelaide, South Australia. Other confirmed bouts include Wilson Reis vs. Ben Nguyen at Flyweight.
Which of these newly announced fights are you most excited for?
