Jean Wins PFL Welterweight Title: Surprise and Domination!

Thad Jean Crowned Champion in PFL with a Resounding Victory

Thad Jean, the PFL’s new sensation in the welterweight category, won the 2025 World Tournament title on Friday in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Jean (11-0) achieved this feat against an experienced opponent, Logan Storley (18-4).

Despite showing signs of exhaustion at the end of the five rounds, Jean maintained his dominance and secured the victory in the center of the cage, exchanging blows with his rival. The three judges awarded the victory to Jean with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. Jean’s victory is the highlight of an exceptional tournament, where he previously knocked out Mukhamed Berkhamov in the first round and defeated former Bellator MMA champion Jason Jackson by split decision in June. In his match against Storley, another former Bellator champion, Jean was close to finishing him in the second round.

Storley is a beast. I thought I would finish him in the second round, and I think everyone thought I would. This is my belt, and I am ready to fight whoever is next.

Thad Jean

In the second round, Jean connected a front kick and a head kick that hurt Storley, followed by left hooks and knee strikes. Storley, although he managed to survive the round, demonstrated his resilience and experience, using his wrestling to wear down Jean. However, Jean kept his composure, defending submissions and connecting his jab. In addition to the welterweight final, the 2025 featherweight world final took place, where Movlid Khaybulaev, former PFL champion, won his second title at 145 pounds. Khaybulaev (24-0-1) submitted Jesus Pinedo (25-7-1) at 1:17 of the fifth round, delivering one of the best performances of his career. Pinedo got off to a good start in the stand-up, but struggled to keep the fight in that position. Khaybulaev threatened to finish several times on the ground, using the threat of takedowns to set up his strikes. The final submission was an arm triangle, the fourth submission victory of his career. Khaybulaev, 34, attributed the victory to his late coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, father of the legend Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib, who was in Khaybulaev’s corner on Friday, praised his compatriot.

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.