A lightweight fight between Olivier Aubin-Mercier (7-2 MMA) and Diego Ferreira (12-2 MMA) took place on the UFC on FOX 18 preliminary card in New Jersey.

Round one begins and Diego opens with a leg kick. Aubin-Mercier with a right hand. Ferreira replies with one of his own. Aubin-Mercier lands back-to-back body kicks. Ferreira lands a right but Olivier returns fire with another body kick. Good exchange by both men. Ferreira lands a solid shot. Both men trade kicks to the body. Good left hands lands for Diego. The Canadian lands a good head-kick that is partially blocked. Good left hand and a knee land for Diego. Aubin-Mercier returns fire with a body kick. Both men throw big punches to end round one.

Round two starts and Ferreira opens with a kick to the body of the Canadian. Good left hand lands for Aubin-Mercier. Another left for Olivier but Diego lands a good shot on the exit. Aubin-Mercier with a takedown attempt that fails. Ferreira makes him pay with a knee and breaks. Good combo by the Canadian. Nice head kick partially lands for Diego. Aubin-Mercier shoots in for another takedown and gets it. Diego pops right back up. Good shots for Ferreira land flush on Olivier. Solid leg kick scores for Diego. Good jab from Aubin-Mercier who presses forward. Good knee from Diego. Head kick scores for Aubin-Mercier. Ferreira eats it and seems ok. Sneaky left by the Canadian. Good uppercut lands for Diego and Aubin-Mercier replies with a left and then a right. Another high kick from the Canadian. He lands a left and moves out of the way of punches from Diego. Ferreira is pressing forward. The horn sounds to end round two.

Both fighters trade kicks to begin round three. Aubin-Mercier scores a takedown but Ferreira quickly fights his way back up. Aubin-Mercier with another takedown but Diego scrambles and takes his back. Hooks are in and Diego is looking for the choke. He has the arm under the neck but Olivier is defending well. Diego trying hard for the finish but Mercier survives. Diego working punches in half guard now. Olivier
tries to scramble but gives up his back. Good shots from Ferreira, who is looking for the choke. 20 seconds left. More shots from the back by Diego to end the fight.

Diego Ferreira defeats Olivier Aubin-Mercier via decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)