Jean Conquers PFL Welterweight Championship: Surprise and Domination!

Thad Jean is crowned as the new PFL welterweight champion after an outstanding performance in the 2025 world tournament, held on Friday in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Jean, with an impeccable record of 11-0, achieved the title by defeating Logan Storley (18-4), an opponent with extensive experience in the world of mixed martial arts. Despite showing signs of exhaustion in the final stages of his first five-round fight, Jean demonstrated his determination by maintaining control in the center of the cage, exchanging blows until the end. The three judges awarded the victory to Jean with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. This victory represents a milestone in Jean’s career, who previously achieved a knockout in the first round against Mukhamed Berkhamov and a split decision victory over former Bellator MMA champion Jason Jackson in June.

Storley is a beast. I thought I was going to finish him in the second round, and I think everyone thought I was going to finish him in the second round. This is my belt, and I’m ready to fight whoever.

Thad Jean

In the second round, Jean connected a front kick and a head kick, followed by powerful left uppercuts and knee strikes that put Storley in trouble. Although Storley managed to survive the round, he demonstrated his resistance and experience, using his wrestling to wear down Jean. However, Jean maintained his composure, defending submissions and connecting his jab. In the 2025 featherweight final, Movlid Khaybulaev, former PFL champion, won his second title in the 145-pound category. Khaybulaev (24-0-1) submitted Jesus Pinedo (25-7-1) in the fifth round, specifically at minute 1:17, offering one of the best performances of his career. Pinedo had a good start in the fight, but struggled to keep the fight standing. Khaybulaev threatened to finish the fight on several occasions on the ground and took advantage of the takedown threat to set up his strikes. The submission, an arm triangle, was Khaybulaev’s fourth victory by this method. Khaybulaev, 34, thanked his late coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, father of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, for the victory.

We have trained together for 18 years, since we were children. He was my father’s student. We have trained thousands of rounds together. He is undefeated, two-time PFL champion. I think he is already a legend of the sport.

Khabib Nurmagomedov

The PFL world finals will continue on August 15 in Charlotte, North Carolina, with the lightweight, bantamweight, and women’s flyweight championships.