One of the top regional talents in the MMA world just pulled off an early frontrunner for 2023’s Comeback of the Year.
Abdoul Abdouraguimov, the 27-year-old product of France’s MMA Factory affectionately known as “The Lazy King,” stole victory from the jaws of defeat in his bid to win double gold on Friday at Ares FC 11. Already the Ares FC welterweight champion, Abdouraguimov (16-1) was down on the scorecards and en route to a lopsided decision loss before stunning Rafal Haratyk with a Hail Mary kneebar submission with just 25 seconds left on the clock to capture the vacant Ares FC middleweight title.
Abdouraguimov had landed just 19 significant strikes and been mostly bullied by his much larger opponent over the five-round affair before pulling off the shocking come-from-behind submission at the 4:35 mark of Round 5.
Watch video of the dramatic sequence below.
Known for his relentless grappling and wrestling attack, Abdouraguimov got off to a decent enough start, winning the first round on many judges scorecards. But the change in weight was clearly draining, and it wasn’t long before he was resorting to pulling guard and throwing up loose armbar attempts off his back. By the time Haratyk found full mount in the fourth round, the referee was warning Abdouraguimov that if he didn’t find ways to improve positions, the bout would get waived off.
The fifth round started off better for Abdouraguimov, a takedown early, from which Haratyk fought his way back standing, into another guard pull, but this time with a sweep into a deep mounted guillotine that had Haratyk in all kinds of trouble. When the Polish fighter fought his way free and back to top control, it seemed Abdouraguimov’s last desperate chance had been lost.
That’s when the man pulled out a miracle.
Abdoul "The Lazy King" Abdouraguimov submits Rafał Haratyk via kneebar 4:35 R5 pic.twitter.com/BJochSmzoR
— Neo Vale Tudo (@NeoValeTudo) January 20, 2023
With the victory, Abdouraguimov becomes the concurrent Ares FC welterweight and middleweight title holder—bringing his record to a stellar 16-1 (1 NC) in the process. After the bout, Ares president (and MMA Factory owner) Fernand Lopez was open with his expectations that one of his promotion’s brightest talents was likely on his way to the UFC. So it just may be that fans of the Lazy King will see him debuting in the Octagon sometime soon in 2023.
We have our first DOUBLE CHAMPION! 🏆🏆#ARES11 pic.twitter.com/9rXbOf2XTT
— ARES Fighting Championship (@ares_fighting) January 20, 2023
For those who wish to see all the action, the entire Ares FC 11—including the Abdouraguimov vs. Haratyk main event—is available on Fight Pass.
