Abdoul Abdouraguimov
The Professional Fighters League is bringing MMA to Nantes, France, for the first time ever on September 26, 2025. The event will be called PFL Europe Nantes and will take place at the Zénith Nantes Métropole. Abdoul “Lazy King” Abdouraguimov will fight Kevin “Air” Jousset in a welterweight match. This fight is as much about national pride as it is about rankings.
This isn’t just another card in the PFL Europe series; it’s also Abdouraguimov’s first professional fight in Nantes, where he grew up. Both fighters have distinct reasons for fighting, but only one will make an enormous development in their career.
Abdouraguimov Looks to Rule at Home
Abdoul Abdouraguimov is one of Europe’s most exciting welterweights. He has won nine fights in a row and has a record of 19-1 overall. The French-Dagestani fighter is known for his amazing grappling skills. He has won seven of his previous nine fights by submission, which is rather easy for him. Abdouraguimov is a fan favorite not only because he wins, but also because of his attitude and showmanship. He got there through strict training and a distinctive personality.
For Abdouraguimov, this fight is more than simply another win; it’s a big deal for him. He made a name for himself in the provincial scene in Nantes, and now he is back as the main event in a big internationally recognized promotion. The pressure of a hometown crowd may either make someone great or break their will. Abdouraguimov looks ready for the moment.
Kevin Jousset Seeks Redemption
Kevin “Air” Jousset, a former UFC welterweight, stands across the cage. He wants to prove his worth on the world stage again in this fight. Jousset has rebuilt and reorganized himself after going 2-2 in the UFC. His last fight was a loss to Jonathan Micallef in February 2025. He is now making his PFL debut with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove.
Jousset is a judo black belt with championship credentials from Hex Fight Series. He trains at City Kickboxing in New Zealand, an elite martial arts facility known all over the world. He possesses a lot of different skills because he has expertise with both grappling and striking. He is also used to dealing with pressure-heavy fighters. It won’t be simple to fight Abdouraguimov in Nantes, but Jousset has made it obvious that he wants to crash the party.
Pre-Fight Breakdown: Style, Strategy, and Keys to Victory
The fight between Abdouraguimov and Jousset will be interesting and technical because their fighting styles are different. Although, both fighters are grapplers by nature, but they use different tools.
Abdouraguimov is good at controlling the ground and switching between submissions. He doesn’t simply look for takedowns; he puts pressure on from all sides and forces scrambles that usually end with him on top. People have never doubted his cardio, and if the fight goes the distance, he has a tremendous advantage because he can control the tempo. He can hit hard enough to set up his grappling, but make no mistake, he wants this fight on the ground.
Jousset, on the other hand, is a judoka who has gotten better at striking over the years at City Kickboxing. He has an arguably better stand-up game than Abdouraguimov, and if he can maintain the fight upright and at a distance, he would be able to take advantage of some of Abdouraguimov’s defensive holes in striking. Jousset’s judo background might also help him stop takedowns, but the most important thing to find out is if he can handle the constant changes that Abdouraguimov makes when the fight goes to the ground.
The pace and urgency of this fight may be the most important factors. If Abdouraguimov can get his style across early, he will win. If Jousset can make him angry by moving around, hitting him, and defending against takedowns, he might be able to pull off the upset. The matchup pits homegrown momentum against international experience in one of the most important welterweight fights in PFL Europe history.
Final Thoughts
This card shows that PFL wants to be a worldwide company, and it is a big deal for two French fighters who are at very different points in their careers. Abdouraguimov strives for his legacy, to keep his momentum going, and for his supporters at home. Jousset struggles to make up for his mistakes, to come back for redemption, and to show the world what he can do. This bout has everything it needs to be a classic, whether it ends in a submission, a knockout, or a very tight decision.
The Zénith Nantes Métropole will host PFL Europe Nantes on September 26. The main event promises excitement, drama, and possibly career-altering consequences.
Watch Abdoul vs Kevin Jousset: The Franco-French clash we needed below!
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