5 Things You Might Not Know About Laureano Staropoli

All indications point to Laureano Staropoli having found a home in the Professional Fighters League.

The well-traveled welterweight will face a stern test when he collides with the once-beaten Abdoul Abdouraguimov in the PFL Europe 2024 Finals headliner on Saturday at LDLC Arena in Lyon, France. Staropoli, 31, enters the cage with wins in four of his past five appearances. However, he finds himself on the rebound following a rear-naked choke submission loss to Murad Ramazanov at PFL 3 in April.

As Staropoli moves ever closer to his upcoming clash with Abdouraguimov at 170 pounds, here are five things you might not know about him:

1. A late start did nothing to stunt his growth.

Staropoli did not begin his formal mixed martial arts training until he was 17 years old. He made his professional debut at a Tavares Combat show on July 27, 2013—he had turned 20 five months earlier—and disposed of William Castro with a second-round armbar. Staropoli won seven of his first eight bouts, then signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

2. Strong first impressions have been part of his allure.

The La Plata, Argentina, native earned a $50,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus in his Octagon debut, as he outstruck “The Ultimate Fighter Latin America” Season 2 semifinalist Hector Aldana to a unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 140 in November 2018. Staropoli went on to compile a 2-4 record in six assignments with the UFC, with all four of those losses resulting in decisions.

3. His star burned brightest on the European regional scene.

Staropoli laid claim to the interim Ares Fighting Championship welterweight title when he wiped out Mickael Lebout with punches in the second round of their Ares 14 headliner on April 7, 2023. He used the win as a springboard into the Professional Fighters League.

4. A strong inner circle provides stability.

“Pepi” operates out of the star-studded Chute Boxe academy affiliate fronted by Diego Lima in Sao Paulo, Brazil. There, Staropoli trains alongside a host of accomplished stablemates, former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira chief among them. He has also spent time honing his skills at the MMA Factory in Paris.

5. His passport gets a workout.

Staropoli has suited up in six different countries across his 19 outings as a professional mixed martial artist. In addition to his native Argentina, he has fought in Bolivia, Brazil, Singapore, the United States and France.