Technically Newman did fight on a Bellator Champions Series card last year, when the company was being run by the PFL. Now, Bellator has been folded into the PFL itself, but the result for Newman was the same. Another win, this time over Eslam Abdul Baset, who couldn’t continue past the first round.

“I’ve been fighting for a little bit now, I’m getting more and more confident with every win that I get,” Newman told media outlets including Cageside Press about the win, speaking post-fight at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. “And just landing some good strikes like that, finishing someone like that is obviously a good confidence booster for sure.”

From here, Newman is just looking to stay busy, and will be keeping his eye on the upcoming middleweight World Tournament final.

“I’m looking forward to getting my next fight. We’re going to kind of see how it goes with who wins, who doesn’t in the tournament, and see how that kind of shakes out. I think they’re fighting at the end of the month. So that should give me some good insight on who my next potential opponent would be.”

As for fighting at the Boardwalk Hall, one of the more famed arenas for combat sports in the U.S., “It’s a legendary, historic venue with some really historic, crazy fights that have gone down here,” noted Newman. “So it’s cool to just add to it, for sure.”

Jordan Newman also gave credit to UFC, Bellator, and ONE Championship star Ben Asken for helping him with his wrestling and top control over the years. As is well known by now, Askren recently was the recipient of a double lung transplant.

“Big shout out to Ben Askren, that dude’s my hero, that dude’s done a lot for me. I wouldn’t be here without him. So props to him for sure. And as you guys know he’s going through some health complications, so just pray for Ben, and I hope you all wish the best for him as well.”

Watch the full PFL Atlantic City post-fight press conference with Jordan Newman above.

The post Jordan Newman Gives Props, Shout Out to Ben Askren Following PFL Atlantic City appeared first on Cageside Press.

The featherweight fight sparked a bit of controversy after the ref was seemingly out of position to actually see the tap, leading to Kelly unnecessarily being put to sleep, however momentarily.

Following the bout, Canada’s Dupras (9-2) gave his side of the stoppage.

“The thing is, it’s happened to me before. I tell the ref the guy was out, it was kind of viral. Now I knew, when I have a sub, I never let go til the ref stops it,” he told media outlets including Cageside Press backstage at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Of course, the ref, in this case, was slow to make the call. And Dupras just couldn’t be sure.

“At one point, I knew he tapped, but he didn’t give me a reaction after that. So I was like ‘okay he tapped, but he just tried to fight it back, or? Like kind of bluffing me, try to make it not a tap. I was like ‘okay I’ll just keep it’ but she [the ref] was like ‘oh no no no, stop it.'”

“I didn’t know he was out,” Dupras finished. “I thought it was kind of like, maybe when we fell, he was breathing in it, but he was out.”

As for his choking ability, “when I have it, I know it’s GG. Good game my brother,” stated Dupras.

The outcome of Friday’s fight was a vastly different one from Frederik Dupras’ PFL debut, where he was himself submitted by Gabriel Braga.

“I think I need to be clear, I got brought in on one day, or two days notice,” Dupras observed. “I was not prepared for this. But now, with Kelly I was prepared for this. For sure, sometimes it happens, opportunity, it comes to me. But it’s different when you’re prepared.”

“I am an animal, brother. When I go, I go. I’m coming in here like a train. Can’t stop, won’t stop.”

Watch the full PFL Atlantic City post-fight press conference with Frederik Dupras above.

The post Frederik Dupras Gives His View of Controversial PFL Atlantic City Stoppage appeared first on Cageside Press.

The featherweight previously won the PFL Global season in 2021, and on Friday at PFL Atlantic City, submitted Jesus Pinedo to win the inaugural PFL World Tournament at 145lbs.

After the victory, UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, who coaches Khaybulaev (24-0-1, 1NC), was on hand to wrap the World Tournament belt on him.

“He is like a brother. We always train, we’ve been together for a long time, it’s like family for us,” Khaybulaev told media outlets including Cageside Press following the event, asked about Khabib’s presence. “Of course it brings me double joy that he was the one to give me the belt this time.”

The victory over Pinedo, himself a former PFL Global champ, did not come easy. Khaybulaev went into the fifth round after being knocked down earlier in the bout, before finally finding the submission.

“Going into championship rounds, we had to put everything out. Yes, for me, I had to give all of myself, and I’m very happy with the outcome,” he stated. The finish came via arm-triangle choke, which wasn’t the initial plan.

“I actually wanted to grab his back and finish him from the back choke, but that didn’t work out. And then this one I practiced a lot of times, and I guess at that point he was weak enough for me to finish him in the fifth round, and I’m glad it was a stoppage.”

Following his 2021 championship victory, Khaybulaev took over a year off from fighting. It seems he plans to be a bit more active moving forward. At 34, the undefeated featherweight has a limited window to compete at the top, after all.

“I’ll be honest, now I start feeling when people say that when fighters age, they’re not the same,” Khaybulaev admitted. “I’ll be very honest, 2021 I felt myself much stronger and more confident. I was at the level that if you gave me [Ilia] Topuria back then, I think I would be able to fight him. But again, I’m still staying active, and that’s where experience matters.”

Watch the full PFL Atlantic City post-fight press conference with Movlid Khaybulaev above.

The post PFL World Tournament Champ Movlid Khaybulaev Feels His 2021 Version Could Have Fought Topuria appeared first on Cageside Press.

On Friday at PFL Atlantic City, Jean concluded an impressive run through the tournament with a very storybook ending.

Originally, the PFL Challenger Series alum wasn’t even expected to take part in the tournament. But MMA is a wild sport, full of injuries, withdrawals, and short-notice opportunities. When Florim Zendeli withdrew from a bout with Mukhamed Berkhamov, in stepped the undefeated Jean.

Three wins later, including victories over Jason Jackson and Logan Storley, and Thad Jean is the PFL World Tournament welterweight winner. And his sights remain high moving forward.

“I want every single body. I don’t give a damn who’s tough. I’m tough. I’m tough,” exclaimed Jean (11-0) following his win over Storley, which saw him capture the tournament championship and half a million dollars. “I don’t know if you know me, but I don’t care who you are, what your name is, what your record is. Once you go into the cage with me, it’s me against you. The Silverback is coming out, and I’m coming out better each and every time. I’m only going to be getting better. This is just the beginning. I’m only going to get better. It’s my eleventh fight. My eleventh fight.”

“I’m only going to get better. That’s all I have to say. I’m only going to get better. I want that. I want everybody. I’m not playing.”

Jean is a new, fresh face in the PFL, which has had its ups and downs since its debut in 2018. Born out of the ashes of the World Series of Fighting, the PFL has seen early stars like Ray Cooper III, Lance Palmer, and later Kayla Harrison give way to a new crop, Dakota Ditcheva and Thad Jean among them.

Thad Jean for one likes where the PFL is at.

“People are seeing the PFL. Like I said, only six years in. UFC has been here how long? Since the 1990s, right? Just wait on it. Just wait on it,” stated Jean. “Best fighters are going to come out of here, and if we ever do a little crossover, we’re winning.”

Watch the full PFL Atlantic City post-fight press conference with Thad Jean above.

The post Thad Jean Says MMA’s Best Fighters Are Going to Come from PFL appeared first on Cageside Press.

Coming immediately after a thriller between Movlid Khaybulaev and Jesus Pinedo, the UFC Atlantic City main event, with $500,000 in prize money awaiting the winner, did not disappoint.

It wasn’t long before Logan Storley shot his first takedown of the PFL World Tournament welterweight final. And it wasn’t long before Thad Jean was right back to his feet.

When a second takedown attempt came, rather shockingly, it was Jean turning the tables on “Storm” Storley, getting on top and moving straight to mount. Moments later, Storley was belly down, though just when things were looking bleak, he seemed to wake up, scrambling out and back to his feet.

Shockingly perhaps, Jean was more than up to the task of stuffing Storley’s takedowns for the bulk of the round. And in the second, the upstart hurt Storley early, going to the body. Storley backed up, covering up, and Jean laid into him. Storley was able to withstand that barrage, but it left Thad Jean feeling good enough to showboat a little.

Perhaps prematurely. Moments later, with half the round still on the clock, Storley landed a key takedown. Jean stayed active, looking to scramble then tried to lock up a triangle. No dice, and Storley spent some time on top. Not enough time, however: Jean would free himself. And back on the feet, Jean fired a front kick to the face, then really unleashed fury. A head kick, blocked. Lefts, rights, a jump knee that connected clean, a knee to the face. Soon Logan Storley was on his knees, Thad Jean landing punch after punch. Storley was bloodied, but somehow survived (Jean, it should be noted, was warned for blows to the back of the head, though none appeared to be intentional).

Round three found Thad Jean grooving again. Light on his feet, shucking and jiving (or perhaps just bobbing and weaving, but that’s less poetic). Great movement. Great footwork. An impressive sprawl stuffed a takedown attempt just under two minutes in. Storley, denied, put his weight on Jean against the fence. He could not, however, keep Jean there.

At center, Storley would land a takedown, giving him 90 seconds to try to win a fairly close round. Jean would scramble, only to see that backfire, with Storley able to move to mount. Yet moments later, Jean used the fence to push off, creating just enough space to escape out the back door from under Storley.

Jean’s jab was still snappy in the fourth round, but Storley began having success walking him down, cutting off the cage. A right hand landed for Storley, whose gas tank had never really been a question. Jean was showing signs of fatigue, however, and no longer appeared to have the energy to sprawl and fight off takedown attempts the way he had early. Instead, Storley was able to shoot, get Jean to his knees, and drape himself over the back.

Still, Jean did escape, landing more than once on Storley as they came up to the final minute of round four. Another takedown landed for Storley, though Jean was quickly back up.

Logan Storley went back to his bread and butter, the wrestling, in round five. When he couldn’t land it, the pair moved back to center, where Storley successfully blocked a high kick. Another shot came moments later, with Storley landing it. He looked to take the back, with half the round remaining. Two and a half minutes until someone claimed World Tournament gold. Jean once again was able to get back to his feet, despite the fatigue he’d so obviously been showing. There was also the question of whether Storley could win a decision; Jean almost certainly had won two, if not three rounds.

In the final minute, a sloppy Storley takedown attempt was answered with the active hands of Jean. He connected more than once. Moments later, he did so with a knee, and right hand. Storley was leaking blood again. They finished the round trading, Jean getting the better of the exchanges, as he had all fight long.

The judges saw it for Thad Jean. Easily the right call.

Speaking to Dan Hardy after the fight, Jean thanked his supporters for coming out. “This is my job, and I’m ready to fight whoever’s next!” he exclaimed. The “Silverback” improved to 11-0 with the win, after one of the most memorable runs in PFL history.

Official Result: Thad Jean def. Logan Storley by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)

The post Thad Jean Completes Star Turn, Defeats Logan Storley to Win Welterweight PFL World Tournament appeared first on Cageside Press.

Devastating Peruvian striker Jesus Pinedo (25-6-1) ran through his side of the bracket with first round finishes over Adam Borics and Gabriel Braga. Movlid Khaybulaev (23-0-1) is a training partner and close friend to Khabib Nurmagomedov and had never lost in 23 professional fights. The finale was a fight that fans around the world had been eagerly awaiting all season.

In the first round of the PFL Atlantic City co-main event on Friday, Pinedo came out pressing the action, but was quickly taken down by Khaybulaev in the middle of the cage. Movlid sat in top position from full guard, landing short punches to the head of Pinedo. The referee unspeakably stood the fighters up and Pinedo came forward like he was shot out of a cannon. Both fighters stayed in the pocket and threw bombs, tagging each other repeatedly before Khaybulaev landed a takedown. Once on the ground Movlid remained in control until the end of the round landing quality ground and pound on top.

Again in the second round Khaybulaev was able to take the fight to the ground early. While on top Movlid easily transitioned to the back of Pinedo looking for rear naked choke. Again the referee stood the fight up moments after Pinedo escaped to full guard. Once standing, Movlid landed a huge punch that floored Pinedo, knocking him down. Swarming on an injured opponent Movlid tried to finish the fight. Heavy ground and pound landed as the referee was close to stopping the fight. Pinedo was not busted open bleeding from the nose at the end of the round.

The third round took a dramatic turn as Pinedo came out landing a crush left straight in the opening ten seconds. Movlid Khaybulaev was momentarily stumbled but regained his composure landing a well timed takedown. For two minutes Khaybulaev remained in top position in full guard. Short ground and pound punches were starting to add up in the round for Movlid, who was approaching four minutes of ground control this round. Pinedo eventually returned to his feet throwing threatening punches at Movlid until the bell. This was quickly turning into an instant classic between two world class competitors.

Entering the championship rounds Khaybulaev was seemingly ahead in the fight. In the fourth, Movlid was able to find a takedown thirty seconds into the round. Pinedo seemed to be fading, as Movlid remained in top position. With two minutes remaining Pinedo was able to momentarily return to the feet before getting taken down again. Movlid dominated this round and seemed to be ahead by a wide margin.

In the final frame Pinedo marched forward looking to land a desperation shot to turn the tide. Movlid expertly ducked under a punch and landed a takedown against the cage. Quickly transitioning to half guard Movlid snatched up an arm triangle squeezing the life out of Pinedo. The former champion Pinedo tapped ending the contest and crowning Khaybulaev as the 2025 World Tournament Winner. Earning a submission win and his second tournament championship, Khaybulaev is undoubtedly one of the best fighters in the promotion and has $500,000 to show for his win.

In the post fight interview, Movlid Khaybulaev’s coach and teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov stated that he was very proud of him, the pair having trained together for 18 years in large part under Khabib’s father. An impressive victory for Movlid, who was unbelievably a betting underdog coming into this fight. After winning a title last time Khaybulaev took an extended layoff from the sport. Maybe the same will happen this time around, but we hope to see him in the 2026 season.

Official Result: Movlid Khaybulaev def. Jesus Pinedo by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 5, 1:17

The post Movlid Khaybulaev Submits Jesus Pinedo in Thrilling PFL World Tournament Final appeared first on Cageside Press.

In the main event, former Bellator MMA interim champ Logan Storley, a decorated wrestler and former interim champion in that promotion, faced off against the undefeated, 10-0 Thad Jean, one of the breakout stars of the PFL World Tournament. Meanwhile in the co-headliner, a pair of former featherweight champs collided. That final saw Jesus Pinedo of Peru take on the formidable Dagestani Movlid Khaybulaev.

Where to Watch the PFL World Tournament Finals

Friday, August 1, 2025 sees the Professional Fighters League hold PFL Atlantic City at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. The card airs live on ESPN and ESPN+ in the U.S. (and DAZN internationally), with the action getting underway at 6:30PM ET, 3:30PM PT. Full results can be found below.

PFL Atlantic City: Storley vs. Jean Results

Main Card

Welterweight: Thad Jean def. Logan Storley by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) – World Tournament final
Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev def. Jesus Pinedo by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 5, 1:17 – World Tournament final
Featherweight: Asaël Adjoudj def. Yves Landu by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Middleweight: Jordan Newman def. Eslam Abdul Baset by TKO (retirement), Round 1, 5:00

Preliminary Card

Jakub Kaszuba def. Sergio Cossio by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Kyle Driscoll def. Husein Kadimagomaev by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 30-27)
Fred Dupras def. Nathan Kelly by technical submission (guillotine choke), Round 2, 4:38
Sarek Shields def. Nick Meck by TKO (doctor’s stoppage), Round 1, 5:00
Tom Pagliarulo def. Matt Turnbull by TKO (knee to the body), Round 1, 4:36

The post PFL Atlantic City: Storley vs. Jean Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Storley is looking to make good on the promising start to his MMA career, which had seen him rise from a hot prospect in Bellator, to an interim champ in that promotion before falling to then-champ Yaroslav Amosov. As for Thad Jean, he is an undefeated 10-0 to start his MMA run, and was little-known before entering the PFL World Tournament at welterweight, where he’s won his first two fights.

Two former featherweight champs in the PFL Global seasons of years past, meanwhile, face off in the night’s co-main event as Jesus Pinedo took on Movlid Khaybulaev.

Weigh-ins for PFL Atlantic City took place Thursday, results are below.

PFL Atlantic City: Storley vs. Jean Weigh-In Results

Main Card

Welterweight: Thad Jean (169.6lbs) vs. Logan Storley (170lbs) – World Tournament final
Featherweight: Jesus Pinedo (144.4lbs) vs. Movlid Khaybulaev (144.2lbs) – World Tournament final
Featherweight: Asaël Adjoudj (145.8lbs) vs. Yves Landu (145.8lbs)
Middleweight: Jordan Newman (185.2lbs) vs. Eslam Abdul Baset (186lbs)

Preliminary Card

160-Pound Catchweight: Jakub Kaszuba (159.4lbs) vs. Sergio Cossio (160.4lbs)
Lightweight: Husein Kadimagomaev (156lbs) vs. Kyle Driscoll (155.8lbs)
Featherweight: Nathan Kelly (145.6lbs) vs. Fred Dupras (145.6lbs)
Welterweight: Sarek Shields (170.4lbs) vs. Nick Meck (171lbs)
Featherweight: Matt Turnbull (145.8lbs) vs. Tom Pagliarulo (145lbs)

The post PFL Atlantic City: Storley vs. Jean Weigh-In Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Yet after defeating Bellator standouts Mukhamed Berkhamov and Jason Jackson (the latter a former world champion) to improve his record to 10-0 and land in the welterweight final against Logan Storley, Jean has suddenly hit the radar.

Dark horse no more, in other words.

“Dark horse to start out, but now I’m in the final, and we’ll see what that horse turns into,” Jean told media outlets including Cageside Press during this week’s media day.

“I’m ready to take it all the way. Take the title come August 1 against Logan Storley. As we know he’s a one-dimensional fighter. He’s nothing like Jason Jackson,” Jean continued, proving once again that he’s not shy of talking a little trash. “Jason Jackson is a well-rounded fighter. And so I don’t want to say that I’ve discounted Logan Storley’s grappling, his wrestling or anything like that, but that’s all I’ve got to worry about, is his wrestling.”

Storley is a decorated wrestler, one who has used that skill well in his MMA career. Asked about the concern that he might not want to bring a fight come Friday in Atlantic City (and instead turn things into a wrestling match), Jean replied by saying “I’m ready to fight you. Whoever goes into the cage, it doesn’t matter who it is.”

“If it is Logan Storley and he actually does want to fight, like I said I’m going to take it away from him. Not in the third, not in the fourth, not in the fifth. No, the first two rounds, he’s gone.”

Thad Jean also replied to the notion of becoming a face of the promotion, like Dakota Ditcheva and former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou.

“I think this is like my breakout party. This is what it is: He said it, he’s saying it, he’s doing it, oh, he meant it. Oh he did it. He did it, and now once I win that belt, once I have that crown, I’m going to be continuously talking my confidence. I don’t want to say talking my crap, I’m talking my confidence. I’m talking my reality of what I tell you, of how I feel and how I see it and how it’s going to be. I’m telling you I’m going to be the PFL welterweight 2025 tournament champion. Come August 1, I will be that, and I will become the face of the PFL as well. One of the faces, I should say, of the PFL.”

Watch the full PFL Atlantic City media day appearance by Thad Jean above.

The post Exuding Confidence, PFL Atlantic City’s Thad Jean Plans On Being A Face of the Promotion appeared first on Cageside Press.

Peru’s Pinedo (25-6-1) exclaimed during Wednesday’s PFL Atlantic City media day session that “I came for the money, the belt, and to take his zero.”

The 29-year old, like Khaybulaev, has won a PFL tournament before. Still, the Dagestani remains undefeated, considered one of the best featherweights in the world for years. “Movlid has never fought anyone like me, and my game plan is to rip his head off,” Pinedo countered. “That will be his biggest issue on the night.”

With the likes of Aaron Pico and Patricio Pitbull now in the UFC, the PFL’s 145lb division is wide open. The Champions Series belt would appear to be up for grabs. Jesus Pinedo, however, is not getting ahead of himself.

“Right now I’m not really focused on other fights. My main focus is Movlid this night. And after that, I’ll kind of just see what PFL puts on my plate, and from there we’ll figure out the next opponent. But Movlid is my number one task right now.”

Beating a fellow former PFL Global season champ is a bit of extra motivation, mind you. Pinedo admitted as much, adding “I take every fight extremely seriously, and nothing changes here. But there’s an extra sense of motivation given the type of fighter and athlete that Movlid is. So it’s helped me prepare myself physically and mentally more for this fight.”

Watch the full PFL Atlantic City media day appearance with Jesus Pinedo above. The card takes place Friday, August 1, 2025.

The post PFL Featherweight Finalist Jesus Pinedo Here for Money, Belt, and to Take Movlid’s 0 appeared first on Cageside Press.