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| (Image Source: Black Belt Magazine/PFL Europe) |
PFL Europe Championship Lyon, held last December 14, 2024 at the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France, marked a historical night for European mixed martial arts (MMA), showcasing the best as well as the up-and-coming talent from France, alongside the elite and newly minted 2024 PFL European Champions. The Lyon crowd lit up the LDLC Arena with a raucous reception for its first ever major MMA main event as France’s own Abdoul “Lazy King” Abdouraguimov (19-1) sent the locals home happy with a unanimous decision victory over Argentina’s Laureano “Pepi” Staropoli (13-7) displaying his patented grappling dominance. The hotly anticipated co-main event saw the Belgian sensation maintain his undefeated record as Patrick “The Belgian Bomber” Habirora (5-0) defeated the Swiss PFL debutant Catalin Safta (5-3) with a stunning one punch knockout, leaving his opponent out cold on the canvas as he jumped out of the SmartCage to celebrate with the masses.
The 2024 PFL Europe king at Bantamweight was crowned as Lewis “The McGrizzla” McGrillen (11-1) put an emphatic end to his 2024 by earning the PFL Europe Bantamweight Championship as he defeated Alexander “Schlingel” Luster (9-2) in the second round via TKO, proving once again his left hand is one of the most dangerous weapons in all of MMA. The 2024 PFL Europe Men’s Lightweight Season came to a close in Lyon as Jakub “The Auditor” Kaszuba (14-0) becomes the first athlete to go back-to-back in PFL European history with a victory over Connor Hughes (10-2). The Pole bounced back from adversity in the opening rounds after feeling the Liverpudlian’s power, but his experience and resolve allowed him to take advantage of top position and epitomise why elbows were made legal in PFL as he finished the fight in round four via TKO. The 2024 PFL Europe Men’s Welterweight season culminated as Florim Zendeli (10-1-1) put on a hugely impressive performance by submitting Daniele “The Cyborg” Miceli (13-6,0, 1 NC) in the very first round to become the champion, and showcased once again why he is an extremely dangerous competitor, now winning nine out of his 10 victories via finish.
Opening the evening’s ceremonial crownings was the Women’s Flyweights, as Paulina Wiśniewska (5-0) extended her unbeaten record and earned the 2024 PFL Europe Women’s Flyweight Championship as she defeated Valentina Scatizzi (3-4) in stunning fashion, dropping the Italian in the first round with crushing strikes on the ground which caused the referee to stop the bout. Finally, Cédric “The Best” Doumbé awarded three PFL contracts to Salvo Giudice (12-9), Mahio Campanella (7-1), and Mathys Duragrin (4-0) after their outstanding performances at PFL Europe Championship Lyon, and having proven to be the hottest prospects to come out of French MMA.
PFL Europe Championship Lyon Results
• Welterweight Showcase Bout: Abdoul Abdouraguimov (19-1) def. Laureano Staropoli (13-7) by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
• 165lb Catchweight Showcase Bout: Patrick Habirora (5-0) def. Catalin Safta (5-3) by 3rd round KO (2:16)
• Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Mickaël Groguhe (6-2) def. Lamine Sene (5-8) by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• PFL Europe Bantamweight Championship Bout: Lewis McGrillen (11-1) def. Alexander Luster (9-2) by 2nd round TKO (3:52)
• PFL Europe Lightweight Championship Bout: Jakub Kaszuba (14-0) def. Connor Hughes (10-2) by 4th round TKO (4:07)
• Featherweight Doumbé Decides Bout: Mathys Duragrin(4-0) def. Yassin Chtatou (2-5-1) by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 20-25)
• Bantamweight Doumbé Decides Bout: Mahio Campanella (7-1) def. Ezzoubair Bouarsa (7-4) by 1st round submission (Arm Triangle Choke, 4:45)
• 177lb Catchweight Doumbé Decides Bout: Salvo Giudice (12-9) def. Atilla Kobas (2-2) by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-25)
• PFL Europe Welterweight Championship Bout: Florim Zendeli (10-1-1) def. Daniele Miceli (13-6,0, 1 NC) by 1st round submission (Rear-Naked Choke, 4:24)
• PFL Europe Women’s Flyweight Championship Bout: Paulina Wiśniewska (5-0) def. Valentina Scatizzi (3-4) by 1st round TKO (0:20)
• Welterweight Showcase Bout: Eoin Sheridan (2-0) def. Brice Belghazi (1-1) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Lightweight Showcase Bout: Claudio Pacella (5-2) def. Oscar Ownsworth (8-4-1) by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
