PFL welterweight Thad Jean was just an alternate for the world tournament as recently as two weeks ago, and is now just two fights from a $500,000 prize.
The undefeated prospect narrowly missed out on a spot in this year’s eight-man welterweight tournament. He was given his chance when 2024 PFL Europe champion Florim Zendeli was forced out, allowing him to slot in against Russian Mukhamed Berkhamov.
Jean made no mistake on his shot at the big tournament, landing a highlight-reel finish to render Berkhamov unconscious. He now moves on to face former Bellator champion Jason Jackson next time out.
Thad Jean viciously KOs Mukhamed Berkhamov to progress to semi-finals of PFL tournament
Two years after earning a contract on the PFL Challenger Series in Orlando, Thad Jean was finally given his chance on the big stage last night in the same venue. And within four and a half minutes he delivered a brutal knockout that had his large fanbase in uproar at cageside.
A Florida native, Jean clearly drew the majority of the house at the Universal Studios. And he delighted his fans with a perfect combination that he finished off with a vicious left hook that knocked his rival out and saw him move on to the next round.
“He has a lot of experience, but I do not care about the amount of fights you have in this cage,” Jean told Dan Hardy after the fact. “I do not care who you are, what your name is, what your record is. I don’t care if you’re the main event or starting the fights off.
“When you’re in the cage with ‘The Silverback’ Thad Jean, I’m going to win, I’m going to put you out, I’m going to do what I have to do… There is no limit, there is absolutely no limit, all glory to Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour. I told coach I was going to make this spectacular, was it spectacular? “
Jason Jackson books Thad Jean showdown with second round stoppage
On the opposite side of Jean’s bracket; Jason Jackson made his tournament debut for the PFL by facing fellow former Bellator champion Andrey Koreshkov. He made tough work of the first round, but eventually landed the rare submission in the second round.
Jackson and Jean squared off in the Smart Cage following the fight, with the Jamaican saying afterwards: “He think he a silverback but listen, I’m a killer, remember that, y’all better know that.”
There was no love lost between the pair as they faced off in front of a loud Orlando crowd. Jackson even seemed irked by something that was said as he pushed his rival following a verbal altercation.
