Top Reasons to Catch PFL Europe 1

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A concerted effort from the Professional Fighters League to mine talent globally has already begun to yield positive results.

The company swings into its latest international season with PFL Europe 1 on Thursday at Accor Arena in France. There, in addition to two showcase affairs at the top of the card, quarterfinal action plays out in the welterweight and lightweight divisions. Future events are set to feature European series bouts in the bantamweight and women’s flyweight ranks. Tournament winners receive $100,000, along with championship belts and almost certain consideration for the PFL’s lucrative domestic season in the United States.

Here are three reasons to catch PFL Europe 1:

1. Doumbe Device

Decorated kickboxer Cedric Doumbe returns to the stage for the first time since his dazzling organizational debut, as he locks horns with the undefeated Baissangour Chamsoudinov in the welterweight main event. Doumbe, 31, enters the cage with a perfect 5-0 record, with all signs pointing to his having made a seamless transition to mixed martial arts. He was a two-time champion in Glory, where he reigned from Dec. 10, 2016 to Aug. 25, 2017 and again from March 9, 2019 to Nov. 16, 2021. Doumbe drew his first assignment under the PFL banner in September and needed just nine seconds to punch out Jordan Zebo. Chamsoudinov, meanwhile, looks like a potential person of interest at 170 pounds. The 22-year-old MMA Factory prospect last competed on June 23, when he put away “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 8 winner Efrain Escudero with punches in the second round of their encounter at an Ares Fighting Championship show. It was Chamsoudinov’s first stoppage in nearly two years and moved him to 7-0 as a pro.

2. Rise and Shine

Former Brave Combat Federation champion Abdoul Abdouraguimov expects to face considerable resistance in his second outing since joining the PFL roster, as the once-beaten MMA Factory export takes on Bellator MMA and Cage Warriors Fighting Championship veteran Jack Grant in the welterweight co-headliner. The 28-year-old Abdouragimov has rattled off eight consecutive victories, six of them by submission. He last fought at PFL Europe 3, where he disposed of Brad Wheeler with a rear-naked choke in the first round of their Sept. 30 pairing. It was the 12th first-round finish of Abdouragimov’s career. On the other side of the equation, Grant has posted back-to-back wins over Nathan Jones and Ahmed Labban in the aftermath of his June 2021 decision defeat to Ian Garry. A potent finisher in his own right, the Fight Ministry rep has secured 18 of his 19 career victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission.

3. Back for Seconds

Eight tournament matches are set to get the ball rolling on crowning PFL European series champions at 155 and 170 pounds. Among the hopefuls: 2023 lightweight titlist Jakub Kaszuba, who puts his perfect 11-0 record on the line against Kane Mousah in one of the more intriguing quarterfinals. Kaszuba operates out of a Gracie Barra affiliate in Jacksonville, Florida, where he furthers his development and sharpens the skills that have already fattened his bank account. The 28-year-old rallied to stop John Mitchell with knees and punches in the second round of their lightweight final at PFL 4 in December. Mousah, meanwhile, cut his teeth in the Bellator, Absolute Championship Berkut and British Association of Mixed Martial Arts promotions. The Manchester Top Team product last suited up at Bellator 296, where he was on the receiving end of a second-round knockout from Thibault Gouti on May 12. Mousah, 37, has alternated wins and losses in each of his past five appearances.