When the PFL set down in Lyon for the first time, the show was grandiose. Despite the presence of Belgian prospect Habirora and Lazy King Abdoul Abdouraguimov, the real star of this Saturday, December 14 was Cédric Doumbè. The famous MMA fighter first awarded contracts to French fighters, then let his fans decide his future.
Without fighting, Cédric Doumbè put on the show. Present at the LDLC Arena in Lyon this Saturday evening for PFL Europe 2024, the famous Franco-Cameroonian MMA fighter left his gloves on to first put on the recruiter's cap. And yes, there was an event within the event. Between the four 2024 European finals, three 100% French fights were organized, where the objective was to win in style to impress “The Best” and be awarded a contract at PFL Europe.
>> Relive this PFL Lyon in pictures
Three contracts awarded
Before his event called “Doumbè decides” began, the French PFL star first made a furtive entry into the Lyon room. Broom in hand (in reference to his lost fight against Baki due to a splinter), he entered the octagon to explain his concept: “First, I'm going to put myself in the place of a matchmaker , then a promoter, then a fan to choose which fighter will impress us. We need a show before and during the fight.”
After supervising the three fights to get an idea of the number of contracts to be addressed, “The Best” returned to the cage with two contracts… for three winners. “Duragrin, Campanella and Giudice, I loved your fights, but there are only two. You did a good job. Above all, there was a finish, Campanella, undeniably you deserve this first contract,” announces the star.
Author of a flawless performance during the fight and even before, the second contract was awarded to Mathys Duragrin. “Salvo (Giudice), you spent your entire fight on the ground. You did Khabib, but you are not Khabib. Duragrin you did dirty. You showed that you were playful at the weigh-in, during your entrance (he conquered the room with Charles Aznavour) and at the end, he gave us a Max Holloway… without the finishing touch. We all agree that Mathys Duragrin deserves it.” he adds.
Without a contract despite his victory, Salvo Giudice still left with the precious sesame. “Guys, I want to do something. I've decided, but it's up to you now. Do we give him this contract”, he says, a proposal validated by the public who pushed for the Frenchman who made his first professional fight this Saturday evening.
A rain of knockouts
In addition to this extraordinary event “Doumbè decides”, the card of this PFL Lyon was able to count on very big finalizations, in high-stakes fights. Of the four European belts up for grabs, no final went to decision. Starting with the express TKO of the Polish Paulina Wiśniewska… in 20 seconds, then the rear strangulation of Zendeli in the first round.
Kaszuba then finished his opponent in the fourth round with a heavy ground and pound to capture the lightweight belt (-70kg). But the real treat of this evening remains the clash between the twirling Englishman McGrillen and the German Luster. After three knockdowns inflicted, McGrillen extinguishes his opponent's light with another overhand from his powerful rear arm. A fight that Anthony Lopes, present at the LDLC Arena, really appreciated.
Masterclasses by Habirora and Abdouraguimov
Facing the Lyon public, Belgian prospect Patrick Habirora played big for his fifth professional fight. Already the author of three knockouts in the first round, the 23-year-old fighter had a reputation to uphold, facing the biggest challenge of his career. Acclaimed upon his entry by the public, the “Belgian bomber” wasted no time and quickly assessed the distance to set up his strike. A strategy that paid off in the first two rounds, which forced his opponent, condemned to finalize the fight to win, to overplay in the last round. During a sequence, the Swiss Safta discovered himself and the punishment was direct. On a big counter, right hook, Habirora found the chin of his opponent who fell directly unconscious.
If Lyon was in madness after the demonstration of the “Belgian bomber”, the show was not over, since Abdoul Abdouraguimov remained. The Franco-Russian faced a former UFC fighter, Laureano Staropoli, coached by Ilia Topuria's trainer. Aware of the Dagestani's abilities on the ground, the Argentinian was quite passive when the fight remained standing. The Lazy King took the opportunity to score his strikes and succeed in scoring takedowns in each round. On the ground, Abdouraguimov came close to submission on several occasions, but it was ultimately a unanimous decision victory for the Lazy King.
Abdouraguimov, Jake Paul, Baki… Doumbè also spoke about his future
And it's not over… the Doumbè show continued. Present for a third time in the octagon, the Franco-Cameroonian “left the choice” to the public to determine who his next opponent will be. If the first two names, Abdoul Abdouraguimov and Jake Paul, were booed by the fans, when Baki was displayed on the giant screen, the public showed more of their desire to see this rematch. “I want to see that too. 2025, you will see this fight, make noise for Doumbè against Baki 2,” launched the former nine-time kickboxing champion.
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