Preview: 2025 PFL World Tournament 8 | Finals

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That glorious time of year has returned yet again as the Professional Fighters League finals commence on Friday at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Two fighters will be crowned kings of this year’s welterweight and featherweight tournaments, where $500,000 will also be on the line. In the welterweight final, unbeaten contender Thad Jean hopes to cap off a breakout campaign with a championship-defining performance against former Bellator MMA interim champion Logan Storley. In the featherweight championship, former PFL tournament winner Jesus Pinedo looks to add another belt to his trophy case by handing Movlid Khaybulaev his first loss.

Now to the 2025 PFL World Tournament 8 preview:

PFL Welterweight Final

Thad Jean (10-0, 6-0 PFL) vs. Logan Storley (18-3, 3-1 PFL)

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the PFL World Tournament Finals LIVE Friday, Aug. 1 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+

Throughout Storley’s decade of professional MMA experience, the four-time NCAA wrestling All-American has used the grappling acumen he learned at the University of Minnesota to neutralize explosive strikers. In the semifinals, Storley dumped Masayuki Kikuiri on his backside seemingly at will, dominated him on the canvas and has racked up three-straight wins executing the same gameplan. Surprisingly, it’s Storley’s striking that makes his wrestling so effective. Storley has an underrated jab that he uses to blind and raise his opponent’s guard, creating a window of opportunity to close the distance and shoot for a takedown. The Webster, South Dakota, native trains out of Kill Cliff Fight Club with a host of former champions and elite prospects, and he has kept his skills sharp throughout the years. He’s a master of finishing takedowns and maintaining control, while accumulating damage via ground and pound.

Jean would be wise to fight Storley from a distance and use every bit of his 6-foot-2-inch frame. The 27-year-old is frighteningly explosive and throws his punches with sinister intentions. Jean is five inches taller than Storley and is considered the bigger puncher. Throughout his semifinal win over Jason Jackson in June, Jean staggered the former Bellator champion, forcing Storley’s stablemate to rely on his wrestling. In a back-and-forth scrap, Jean edged out the split decision win by producing the more memorable moments, but he left a share of noticeable weaknesses in the cage, as well. One can only imagine the notes Storley has picked up from Jackson on Jean. After surviving an early scare from the unbeaten prospect, Jackson clawed his way back into the fight with volume and pressure. Jackson opted not to load up with the big puncher and kept him on the move with constant jabs and clinch work. Jackson found success with his knees and would ultimately find Jean’s legs for a takedown in two out of the three rounds. Jean showcased good head movement throughout the fight and wasn’t in any danger on the ground. He wasn’t hesitant and wasted little time trying to get back to his feet. While Jackson is a solid wrestler who loves to showcase his all-around game, Storley is a dominant wrestler who butters his bread on the mat. Jean needs to keep this fight at range where he can control the airspace, or Storley will weigh on him in the clinch and drain his gas tank over five rounds.

Jean’s gas tank could be the deciding factor in this fight, but his height, length and power force opponents to respect him and cautiously engage. Jean can rack up points or even hurt Storley on the outside. However, this fight will be tossed on its head if Storley can get Jean to the mat and keep him there. This clash of styles could bring out the best in each man, as an explosive young contender meets the savvy and experienced veteran. Jean was lucky to escape with his unbeaten streak last time out, and Storley’s expertise is in the area that Jackson dominated. As long as Storley stays out of trouble—and that’s a big if—expect him to control the fight and drain Jean of his power. As the clock ticks, Storley’s pressure will mount and carry him to a decision win.



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Jean vs. Storley
Pinedo vs. Khaybulaev
Landu vs. Adjoudj
Newman vs. Syaha
The Prelims