Abdoul Abdouraguimov has officially arrived in PFL.
Saturday, Abdouraguimov (17-1) made quick work of Brad Wheeler (18-14) when took the fight to the ground and won by rear-naked choke at 2:43 of Round 1. The 180-pound fight was the co-main event of PFL Europe 3 at Zenith Paris La Villette in Paris.
Wheeler proved to be game on the feet, though his opportunity there was short lived. After a few punches landed on Abdouraguimov, “The Lazy King” shot for a takedown. He quickly sliced through Wheeler’s grappling defense, took the back, locked in the choke, and got the tap.
Abdoul Abdouraguimov gets the tap!!#PFLParis
EN EXCLUSIVITE sur RMC Sport
INTERNATIONALLY LIVE on DAZN pic.twitter.com/36XX2SKlgo
— PFL Europe (@PFLEurope) September 30, 2023
After weeks of angling for a UFC opportunity, “The Lazy King” ultimately signed with PFL in August. Since his signing came during the 2023 PFL Playoffs, Abdouraguimov won’t enter the promotion’s season format until 2024.
Following the win, Abdouraguimov voiced excitement to compete in the United States next and announced in the cage he will drop to lightweight.
Abdoul Abdouraguimov is legit! We will see him on the Global Roster in 2024
#PFLParis
— PFL Europe (@PFLEurope) September 30, 2023
Abdouraguimov, 28, has won seven fights in a row. He has 12 submissions and two knockouts in 17 professional victories. Prior to his signing, Abdouraguimov was the ARES FC champion at both welterweight and middleweight.
Now THAT is how you celebrate a win
#PFLParis | Live on DAZN internationally
pic.twitter.com/HK00RczEtN
— DAZN MMA (@daznmma) September 30, 2023
Up-to-the-minute PFL Europe 3 results include:
- Abdoul Abdouraguimov def. Brad Wheeler via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:43
- Jakob Nedoh def. Anthony Salamone via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:35
- Simeon Powell def. Daniel Ladero via unanimous decision
- Dakota Ditcheva def. Cornelia Holm via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 2:55
- Yazid Chouchane def. Henrique Madureira via unanimous decision
- Laureano Staropoli def. Baba Boundjou Nadjombe via TKO (corner stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00
- Khushed Kakhorov def. Ali Taleb via unanimous decision
- Frans Mlambo def. Mokta Benkaci via split decision
- Jakub Kaszuba def. Dylan Tuke via unanimous decision
- John Mitchell def. Geysim Derouiche via unanimous decision
- Shanelle Dyer def. Luisa Fernanda Cifuentes via unanimous decision
Video: ‘The Lazy King’ Abdoul Abdouraguimov quickly wins PFL debut, announces drop to lightweight
