“The Lazy King” Abdoul Abdouraguimov always provides entertainment and highlights anytime he fights, proving to be one of PFL Europe’s most popular combatants. The former regional welterweight and middleweight champion, a grappling specialist, has won eight straight and has 14 finishes in his 18 victories. “The Lazy King” is 2-0 in the PFL, finishing Brad Wheeler last year before a split decision win over Jack Grant in March.
Laureano Staropoli began his martial arts journey in Taekwondo before joining the MMA world at the age of 17, influenced by Randy Couture. Staropoli has since competed on the big stages of MMA, racking up a 13-6 record with nine finishes entering his 20th professional MMA bout tonight. Staropoli is 1-1 since joining the PFL, defeating Boundjou Baba Nadjombe in September 2023 before a loss to Murad Ramazanov in April.
Will it be another victory for “The Lazy King”? Or will Laureano Staropoli pull off the major upset?
Round 1
Front kick by Abdouraguimov. Low kick by Abdouraguimov. Low kick by Abdouraguimov again. Left hand by Staropoli. “The Lazy King” continues with the leg kick-focused attack. A front kick to the leg. Left hand from Staropoli. Clash of low kicks. Left hand from Abdouraguimov. Low kick from Staropoli. Low kick again from Abdouraguimov. Low kick from Staropoli. Another low kick from Abdouraguimov. Left hand from Staropoli lands to the body.
Right hand from Staropoli. High kick from Abdouraguimov is blocked. Abdouraguimov continues to attack with his kicks. Left hand from Staropoli. Left hand and a left kick from “The Lazy King.” High kick from Abdouraguimov is missed. Left hand from Staropoli gets Abdouraguimov off balance for a second! Abdouraguimov shoots in and scores a double-leg takedown. Abdouraguimov gets right to the back and quickly is trying to get to the neck. Abdouraguimov scrambles and we’ve got a D’Arce choke attempt in the closing seconds of the round. Staropoli defends well enough to see the end of the round!
Round 2
Left hand from Staropoli. Not a lot of action within the first 30 seconds. Low kick from Abdouraguimov. Low kick from Abdouraguimov again. Staropoli misses a right hand. Left hand and a couple of calf kicks from Abdouraguimov. One-two from Staropoli. Just under two minutes into the round and Abdouraguimov shoots in. He gets the takedown, but Staropoli quickly gets to his feet and over to the fence. Abdouraguimov continues to fight for this takedown.
Staropoli gets back to his feet, but Abdouraguimov retains the hold and is on his back. Abdouraguimov with a sweep, but Staropoli holds his balance. Abdouraguimov elevates, but Staropoli gets his feet back on the floor. Abdouraguimov continuing to press and drive, and he finally gets Staropoli to the mat. Abdouraguimov sets up an arm triangle, and it looks tight. Staropoli grabbing his own leg in defense. Abdouraguimov moves into side mount and is looking for a squeeze from there. Staropoli continuing to defend well. Abdouraguimov seemingly losing his grip on the hold slowly. Abdouraguimov landing a few right hands to the body. Abdouraguimov in mount and looks for some nasty elbows and left hands before the horn. “The Lazy King” warned for punches to the back of the head before returning to the corners.
Round 3
Left hand from Staropoli. Combination from Staropoli. Abdouraguimov goes for a single-leg takedown. Staropoli defends well, but Abdouraguimov is like a leech. Staropoli gets him off and the fight goes back toward the center. Left hand from Staropoli. Low kick from Abdouraguimov. Left hand from Staropoli. Abdouraguimov goes for a takedown, but Staropoli shoves him off. Left hand from Staropoli. Low kick from Abdouraguimov. Uppercut by Staropoli. Left hand by Staropoli. Staropoli with a high kick. Low kick from Abdouraguimov, but Staropoli nails a jab. Staropoli with a left hand, but he misses the follow-up right. One-two from Staropoli.
Left hand from Staropoli. Axe kick from “The Lazy King.” He follows it with a back kick. Leg kick trading from both men. Right hand by Staropoli. Low kick from Abdouraguimov. Low kick from Abdouraguimov. Left hand from Staropoli. Low kick from Staropoli. “The Lazy King” with a switch front kick. The two trading leg kicks. Left hand from Staropoli. Abdouraguimov shoots in and scores a quick takedown. “The Lazy King” covering the legs. Staropoli nearly works his way back to his feet, but Abdouraguimov takes the back, takes him back down and threatens the neck again. Abdouraguimov landing some ground-and-pound. He’s got the choke! Ten seconds left! Staropoli defends and sees the final horn!
Official #PFLLyon Result: Abdoul Abdouraguimov def. Laureano Staropoli via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).#PFLLyon | LIVE NOW on https://t.co/PPTLC9xEya pic.twitter.com/CSLrcpupuf
— PFL Europe (@PFLEurope) December 14, 2024
OFFICIAL RESULT
Abdoul Abdouraguimov def. Laureano Staropoli via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)