Jean Conquers PFL Welterweight Title: Surprise and Domination in Atlantic City

Thad Jean Crowned PFL Welterweight Champion

PFL has a new breakout champion, Thad Jean, who completed his run in the 2025 World Tournament in a resounding fashion on Friday in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Jean (11-0), who started the year as a relative unknown despite his previous success in the PFL, won the welterweight title over an experienced opponent, Logan Storley (18-4). Jean, although he looked exhausted at the end of his five-round fight, managed to finish it in the center of the cage, exchanging blows. The three judges scored in favor of Jean: 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47. The victory crowned an incredible streak for Jean, who started the tournament with a knockout in the first round over Mukhamed Berkhamov, before defeating former Bellator MMA champion Jason Jackson by split decision in June. Against Storley, he defeated another former Bellator champion and nearly finished him in the second round with punches.

“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,” Jean said. “This is my belt, and I’m ready to fight whoever is next.”

Thad Jean

Jean hurt Storley with a front kick and a head kick in the second round, and followed up with left uppercuts and knee strikes. Storley barely survived the round, but demonstrated his resilience and experience. The former NCAA wrestling champion leaned heavily on his grappling to wear down Jean, but Jean managed to keep enough in the tank to defend against submissions and continue connecting his jab. In addition to the welterweight world finals, the 2025 featherweight world finals concluded on Friday, with former PFL champion Movlid Khaybulaev capturing his second 145-pound title. Khaybulaev (24-0-1) submitted Jesus Pinedo (25-7-1) at 1:17 of the fifth round in one of the best performances of his career. Pinedo had a good start on his feet, but struggled to keep the fight standing over time. Khaybulaev threatened to achieve the finish several times on the ground and used the threat of takedowns to set up his strikes. The finish came via an arm triangle for the fourth submission victory of his career. Khaybulaev, 34, attributed the victory to his late coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, father of the great Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib, who was in Khaybulaev’s corner on Friday, praised his fellow Dagestani.

“We have trained together for 18 years, since we were children,” Khabib said. “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 Championships will continue on August 15 in Charlotte, North Carolina, with the lightweight, bantamweight, and women’s flyweight championships.