“The Lazy King” finally is taking a step up to the big leagues.
After months of calling for a shot in a major promotion, Abdoul Abdouraguimov has his, as Thursday it was announced Abdouraguimov (16-1) signed with PFL. The announcement was made by the promotion, Abdouraguimov, and his former promotion, ARES FC.
Abdouraguimov (16-1) is 27, holds two ARES FC titles (at welterweight and middleweight), has a massive online fanbase, and speaks four languages fluently. With 13 finishes and a slew of notable regional wins, he was considered by many as one of the best unsigned prospects in MMA.
In recent weeks, he advocated heavily for a slot on the upcoming UFC Fight Night event Sept. 2 in Paris, but instead will make his debut Sept. 30 in Paris vs. Quemuel Ottoni (12-3) at PFL Europe 3.
🚨 #PFLPARIS 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗗 🚨
🇫🇷 5 French Athletes on the card
⚔️ Headlined by @CedricDoumbe vs @Jordan_Zebo
👑 @LazyKingMMA PFL debut
🏆 @PFLEurope Playoffs semifinals
🌍 12 European Nations represented
🎟 New limited wave of tickets released!!!Follow… pic.twitter.com/HeWeA78R6g
— PFL Europe (@PFLEurope) August 10, 2023
Abdouraguimov, 28, is expected to enter the 2024 PFL welterweight playoffs following his upcoming fight. He enters the bout on a six-fight winning streak including wins over UFC alum Godofredo Pepey and Bellator alum Karl Amoussou.
“Right now after Ciryl Gane in France … it’s ‘Lazy King,'” Abdouraguimov told MMA Junkie in July. “‘Lazy King’ is the real deal. … I am a showman. I can make some show. I’m not only a fighter. Also, I can talk. I can show, and I can talk about science also. We can do everything.”
𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒐 𝑳𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏, @LazyKingMMA 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 👑🎤🇫🇷
Making his PFL debut, will be one of #MMA’s most highly regarded prospects, Abdoul Abdouraguimov (16-1)! He will first compete at #PFLParis before entering @PFLMMA's #PFLRegularSeason in 2024! pic.twitter.com/ufKhdmsIes
— PFL Europe (@PFLEurope) August 10, 2023
