ATLANTIC CITY: The 2025 PFL World Tournament finals began on Friday night at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, with tournament champions being crowned in the welterweight and featherweight divisions.
The undefeated Thad Jean (11-0) claimed the 2025 PFL Welterweight World Tournament championship with a dominant unanimous decision victory over former Interim Bellator champion Logan Storley (18-4). The fight went the full five rounds, with Storley once again proving his toughness and resilience under fire from Jean.
Despite Storley’s relentless wrestling pressure and takedown attempts, it was Jean’s striking that stole the show, displaying pinpoint accuracy, fluid combinations and devastating power that kept his opponent on the defensive throughout. Jean’s performance not only earned him the belt but also solidified his status as one of the most dangerous welterweights in the world.
The co-main event saw Russia’s Movlid Khaybulaev (24-0-1) take on Peru’s Jesus Pinedo (25-7-1) in a clash between two former PFL champions, each seeking to claim the 2025 PFL featherweight title. Khaybulaev’s world-class grappling proved to be the deciding factor, neutralizing Pinedo’s explosive power and keeping the Peruvian on his back for much of the bout. Still, the first-ever Peruvian MMA champion made the most of the striking exchanges, even scoring a knockdown. But in the end, it was Khaybulaev who sealed the victory, securing a late choke to force the tap and capture the 2025 PFL Featherweight World Tournament championship.
Algeria’s Asael Adjoudj (10-1) effectively used his significant reach advantage to shut down nearly every offensive attempt from France’s Yves Landu (21-9) over the first two rounds in the SmartCage. However, in the third, Landu surged back, securing a dominant mount position and unleashing a barrage of strikes, threatening to finish the fight on multiple occasions. Adjoudj rallied in the final moments with a dangerous submission attempt as the clock wound down, ultimately doing enough to earn a unanimous decision from the judges.
Kicking off the main card, Jordan Newman (8-0) was dropped within seconds of the opening round by a perfectly placed punch from Eslam Abdelbaset (16-4). The Egyptian fighter swarmed in to finish, but the undefeated Roufusport standout weathered the early storm and responded with punishing knees that visibly damaged Abdelbaset’s eye. After a grueling first round, Abdelbaset returned to his corner but failed to answer the bell for round two. Referee Keith Peterson waved off the bout, awarding Newman the victory and preserving his unblemished record.
The 2025 PFL World Tournament continues on Friday, Aug. 15 from Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, with the continuation of the finals.
2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals — Atlantic City main card results:
Thad Jean (11-0) def. Logan Storley (18-4) via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
Movlid Khaybulaev (24-0-1) def. Jesus Pinedo (25-7-1) via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:17 of round five
Asael Adjoudj (10-1) def. Yves Landu (21-10) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jordan Newman (8-0) def. Eslam Abdelbaset (16-4) via TKO (fighter retirement) at 5:00 of round one
Early card results:
Jakub Kaszuba (15-0) def. Sergio Cossio (27-11-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Kyle Driscoll (14-4) def. Husein Kadimagomaev (11-2) via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
Fred Dupras (9-2) def. Nathan Kelly (11-5) via technical submission (guillotine) at 4:38 of round two
Sarek Shields (8-2) def. Nick Meck (9-3) via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) at 5:00 of round one
Tom Pagliarulo (10-2) def. Matt Turnbull (9-7) via KO (knee to body) at 4:36 of round one
Upcoming 2025 PFL World Tournament schedule:
2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals — Aug. 15 — Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, NC
2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals — Aug. 21 — Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida
