The PFL welterweight has a new champion, Thad Jean, who completed his journey in the 2025 World Tournament in a resounding way on Friday.
Jean (11-0), who started the year as a relative unknown despite his previous success in the PFL, won the welterweight title against an experienced opponent, Logan Storley (18-4).
Although Jean seemed exhausted at the end of his five-round fight, he managed to finish it in the center of the cage, exchanging blows.
The three judges awarded the victory to Jean with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47.
This victory culminates an incredible performance for Jean, who started the tournament with a knockout in the first round against Mukhamed Berkhamov, and then defeated former Bellator MMA champion Jason Jackson by split decision in June. Against Storley, Jean outmatched 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. 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, followed by uppercuts and left knees. Storley barely survived until the end of the round, but demonstrated his resilience and experience. The former NCAA wrestling champion relied on his grappling to wear down Jean, but Jean managed to maintain enough energy to defend against submission attempts and continue connecting his jab.
In addition to the welterweight world final, the featherweight world final 2025 was completed 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 get 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, the fourth submission victory of his career.
Khaybulaev, 34, attributed the victory to his late coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, father of the great Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The PFL World Championships will continue on August 15 in Charlotte, North Carolina, with the lightweight, bantamweight, and women’s flyweight championships.
