World domination teeters on a phone call, if you ask the “Lazy King.”
Abdoul Abdouraguimov is one of the most hyped MMA fighters on the rise in the world today, but he’s still yet to latch on to a major promotion for reasons unknown, according to him.
“I’m trying to be positive,” Abdouraguimov recently told MMA Junkie. “In this moment, I’m learning a lot of stuff, phycological stuff. I’m looking at the books. I’m learning a lot of stuff, and it helps me to stay in a good mind, have a championship mind, a winner’s mind. I try to throw away all the negative thoughts into the trash bin and make only positive thoughts. That’s why I don’t know what’s going to happen. I can’t control the outside, but I cannot control the inside. I can control me, my actions, my thoughts, and everything good will come automatically. It’s the Law of Attraction, you know?”
Abdouraguimov (16-1) is 27, holds two ARES FC titles (at welterweight and middleweight), has a massive online fanbase, and speaks four languages fluently. Seemingly a layup for any major promotion, Abdouraguimov said there’s been dialogue between his manager, Fernand Lopez, and major promotions – but none have pulled the trigger on signing him.
According to Abdouraguimov, the UFC previously indicated to Lopez he’d be signed following a Hail Mary submission title win against Rafal Haratyk. However, no paperwork has come through, and it’s a bit unclear where things stand.
If there’s ever been a time for the UFC to onboard him, Abdouraguimov wonders why not now? In September, the promotion returns to Paris, the capital city of the country in which Abdoruaguimov resides. Abdouraguimov maintains the mindset he’ll be fighting on that card.
“There’s been a little bit of progress, yes,” Abdouraguimov said. “My manager, Fernand Lopez, since the beginning of my (time) with ARES he was talking to the UFC. Little by little it was progressing. After the last fight, it was like a promise, ‘Yes, we will put him on the card in Paris.’ For the moment, we’re waiting for the contract to come to sign and to fight.
“We already started the preparation to fight in September, so training camp has started. In our mind, we will fight no matter what in September. I want to fight because I’m a warrior. I want to fight. I need to evolve. I want to fight. I want always to advance, and that’s it because it’s time for the ‘Lazy King’ to conquer the world, ladies and gentleman. It’s time. The conquest of the world will start in September 2023.”
While his longtime dream has been the UFC, the Dagestan-born Abdouraguimov revealed he recently engaged in talks with the PFL, as was rumored on French social media channels. Ultimately, Abdouraguimov decided to pass on the offer since the PFL season overlaps with Ramadan.
“I wanted to concentrate 100 percent to my months of Ramadan, you know?” Abdouraguimov said. “That’s why I was saying no at that moment. Because in the future, who knows? Each year the Ramadan goes down 10 days. It changes dates. It could be possible for me to fight there also if there’s a good opportunity. Right now my focus is on the UFC. I want to do the UFC. But if they don’t want me, that’s no problem. We will find other good options.”
If a time comes where the PFL season and Ramadan no longer cross, Abdouraguimov indicated he’ll reconsider. However, Abdouraguimov hopes to never be faced with that choice and sign with the UFC in the coming weeks instead.
At the UFC’s show in Paris in September 2022, Abdouraguimov said he was approached by hundreds of fans wanting pictures and autographs throughout the night. While home country stars Ciryl Gane and Manon Fiorot are already on the card, Abdouraguimov said should matchmaker Sean Shelby want to turn up the energy in Accor Arena a bit Sept. 2, he can do so with a single phone call.
“There are a lot of people who recognize me now, especially in Paris, especially in my hometown of Nantes,” Abdouraguimov said. “Even when I’m outside walking like that, some people come to me taking pictures. I’m very thankful for that, and it’s a pleasure for me. A lot of people want to see me fight in Paris. Of course there are a lot of other fighters who are well known, who also have their own fan base. But I can bring a very good crowd.
“Right now after Ciryl Gane in France … it’s ‘Lazy King.’ ‘Lazy King’ is the real deal, Sean Shelby. … I am a showman. I can make some show. I’m not only a fighter. Also, I can talk. I can show, and I can talk about science also. We can do everything.”
Check out MMA Junkie’s full interview with “Lazy King” below.
