“The Lazy King” Abdoul Abdouraguimov impresses with first-round submission in PFL debut

Considered one of the best MMA prospects today, Abdoul Abdouraguimov captured gold across the regional MMA scene before making his PFL debut tonight. With just one loss in his 18-fight MMA career thus far, Abdouraguimov has won six straight. “The Lazy King” most recently fought in January, scoring a fifth-round submission of Rafal Haratyk. Of his 16 victories, 13 have come via a finish.

Brad Wheeler ends a retirement tonight with this bout, competing in MMA for the first time in over four years. A former regional lightweight champion who began his professional MMA journey in 2009, Wheeler was known as a submission expert. He won two of his most recent three bouts, and his most recent fight saw him earn a second-round TKO of John Maguire in March 2019.

Will this 180-pound showcase be a successful PFL debut “The Lazy King?” Or will Wheeler come out of retirement to shock the world and play spoiler in front of Abdouraguimov’s native French crowd?

Round 1

Wheeler lands a jab to the midsection. Abdouraguimov with a low kick. Wheeler throws a solid combination early. Low kick from Abdouraguimov. Left hand by Wheeler. Another combination by Wheeler. A low kick from Abdouraguimov wobbles Wheeler’s balance a little. Abdouraguimov drives Wheeler into the SmartCage and takes him down. Abdouraguimov grabs a hold of the neck and locks in a choke. Wheeler gets out of it, but Abdouraguimov is still on top of them. Abdouraguimov regains back control. Abdouraguimov flattens him out and looks for an arm-triangle.

Abdouraguimov transitions back into a rear-naked choke. Abdouraguimov locks in a body lock and he gets 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

“The Lazy King” gets the job done in Paris! A strong message to send before he joins the global PFL lightweight division in 2024!

OFFICIAL RESULT:

Abdoul Abdouraguimov def. Brad Wheeler via first-round submission (rear-naked choke, 2:43)

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