Thad Jean wins 2025 PFL Welterweight World Tournament championship in Atlantic City
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
8 hours ago
- Arab News
West Indies hold their nerves to beat Pakistan in T20 thriller
LAUDERHILL, Florida: Jason Holder took four wickets and then smashed a boundary off the final ball of the game to lift West Indies to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan on Saturday and level the three-match Twenty20 cricket international series. The veteran allrounder bowled an inspired spell to take 4-19 off four overs, as Pakistan struggled to 133 for nine after it won the toss and batted in Florida. The West Indies reply also stumbled as Pakistan's spinners kept scoring difficult but late cameos by Gudakesh Motie and Romario Shepherd kept West Indies just about in the contest before Holder's heroics off Pakistan talisman Shahid Shah Afridi's final delivery clinched it. It is the first T20 victory for West Indies in seven matches, a span that includes a heavy 5-0 series defeat to Australia, on top of a test series sweep last month. 'Been a tough couple of weeks for us,' captain Shai Hope said. 'We always try to get better, the guys have put in a lot of hard work. 'Hopefully today is the turnaround we are looking for.' Earlier, Hasan Nawaz's 40 from 23 balls and captain Salman Agha's 38 from 33 deliveries led Pakistan from a precarious 53-4 in the 10th over, but 133 looked a vulnerable target at the innings break. Fresh from taking three wickets in Pakistan's 14-run win in the opening game at the same venue on Thursday, Mohammad Nawaz took another three Saturday, returning 3-14 from his four overs. Like Thursday's game, West Indies found scoring more than five-an-over difficult on the spin-friendly pitch and lost regular wickets. When Roston Chase was teased into a big shot by Saim Ayub (2-20), West Indies had sunk to 70-5 in the 14th over and looking at a steep mountain to climb. West Indies rally Motie got the innings moving with his quickfire 28 from 20 balls before Shepherd chipped in with 15 from 11 balls, including taking 10 runs off Hasan Ali in the second-to-last over to give West Indies a glimpse. Needing eight runs from the final over, Afridi (1-31) removed Shepherd off the second ball, with Holder and new batter Shamar Joseph only able to score singles off the next three balls. Afridi then bowled a wide to leave West Indies needing three runs from the final ball. Holder (16 from 10 balls) then found the gap at backward square to score the boundary they needed and end their six T20 match losing streak. 'We've had a fair bit of criticism which is warranted,' player-of-the-match Holder said. 'We haven't done justice to our potential. 'We can be a lot better, consistency has definitely plagued us.' The third T20 will be held in Lauderhill on Sunday before an ODI series in the Caribbean.
Arab News
11 hours ago
- Arab News
Lionel Messi's Leagues Cup injury confirmed as ‘hamstring discomfort'
Lionel Messi exited Saturday night's Leagues Cup match against visiting Necaxa in the 11th minute due to a right leg injury. After Inter Miami completed its 2-2 draw, manager Javier Mascherano declared Messi felt 'hamstring discomfort.' For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The 38-year-old Messi's exit brings a halt to an exceptional run of clean health, the longest since he joined Miami in July 2023. He had played in every minute of 16 consecutive matches for Miami between MLS regular season and FIFA Club World Cup play before his failure to appear in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game resulted in a one-match suspension against FC Cincinnati a week ago. He returned Wednesday night for Miami's Leagues Cup opener against Atlas and provided two assists – one leading to the game-winner late – in a 2-1 victory. Neither team scored prior to Messi's exit Saturday, though Miami's Telasco Segovia scored shortly thereafter to put Miami in front. Necaxa took a 2-1 lead with the Herons reduced to 10 men when Marcelo Weigandt was sent off for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, but Inter Miami rallied for the equalizer in extra time. The Herons then won 5-4 on penalty kicks. Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, has not scored in the Leagues Cup. But in MLS play, he is tied for the league lead with 18 goals. Messi's run of consecutive appearances was in stark contrast to his first two MLS seasons, during which he missed significant portions of regular-season play. After playing all seven matches of Miami's run to the 2023 Leagues Cup title, minor ailments limited Messi to just six appearances among Miami's last 12 regular-season games that year. He also dealt with multiple issues in 2024, the most pronounced being an extended recovery from a torn leg muscle sustained while playing for Argentina during the 2024 Copa America final that July. He played in only 19 games in his first full MLS season, but he still scored 20 goals and had 16 assists to earn the league's 2024 MVP award.
Arab News
11 hours ago
- Arab News
Luka Doncic agrees to a contract extension through 2028 with the Lakers, committing to his new team
EL SEGUNDO, California:Luka Doncic's first six months with the Los Angeles Lakers were more than enough to give him a vision of a glittering long-term future with his new team. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport He sees championship banners, trophies and team success while living in a cosmopolitan city and playing for a world-famous team. He envisions his name and number in the rafters alongside every other transcendent great to wear the Lakers' gold jersey. So Doncic took the next step toward turning his dreams into reality Saturday when he agreed to a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension through 2028 with the Lakers, bypassing a chance at free agency next summer. 'Being a Laker is an honor, and I wanted to be here,' Doncic said during a news conference under the title banners and retired numbers festooning the gym at the Lakers' training complex. 'When you look up here, so many great names and what they've achieved. I want to be up there too one day.' The deal should keep the 26-year-old Doncic with Los Angeles through 2028 under a player option for the final season, after which he'll be eligible for a massive five-year extension that could allow him to recoup the max money he lost by getting traded by Dallas. The Slovenian superstar had a player option for the 2026-27 season under his previous contract. A person with knowledge of the deal confirmed the terms to The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Lakers don't publicly announce the details of contracts. The Lakers acquired Doncic from the Mavericks last February in a seismic trade for Anthony Davis. The five-time All-NBA selection and a five-time All-Star averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game last season while teaming up with LeBron James for 50 victories and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Although his debut season in Los Angeles ended with a first-round playoff loss to Minnesota, the high-scoring guard says he greatly enjoyed his first months in Hollywood — enough to commit to the Lakers for the rest of his 20s, and almost certainly beyond. 'It's an honor playing for this organization,' Doncic said. 'Many, many great players played here, so obviously I want to add one more up there. That's what we're working for.' In another sign of his reinvigorated passion, Doncic confirmed that he has been doing extensive summer conditioning and strength work after the Mavericks' questions about his physical commitment to the sport reportedly played a role in his shocking departure from Dallas. Doncic looked trim and athletic at his news conference, and he chuckled while saying he'll 'obviously be a little bit faster' next season. 'Just trying to help the team condition-wise,' Doncic said. 'Playing a lot of minutes, a lot of games, so I think it's going to be the best for me.' Reaching the deal with no drama or delay is also a significant coup for the Lakers, whose future looks even brighter with Doncic under contract less than two months after the Buss family agreed to sell a controlling stake in the franchise to a deep-pocketed group led by Dodgers owner Mark Walter. Doncic will return this fall alongside James, who will begin his unprecedented 23rd NBA season. While Doncic's preeminent importance to the Lakers has been obvious from the moment they acquired him, general manager Rob Pelinka on Saturday called Doncic 'the centerpiece and the foundation piece' of the Lakers going forward. James didn't attend Doncic's news conference, but Pelinka said the relationship between the Lakers and the top scorer in NBA history is still strong even after James' agent, Rich Paul, made pointed comments about James' desire for the Lakers to be a championship contender when James agreed to return this summer. 'All the interactions we've had with LeBron and his camp have been positive and supportive,' Pelinka said when asked if he thought the Lakers would be James' final team. 'The dialogue with him has been open and constant. … The No. 1 thing we have to do (with James' future) is respect him and his family's decision. We want to respect his opportunity to come up with his timetable on that. If he had a chance to retire as a Laker, that would be great.' Doncic's comfort with the Lakers was already obvious in his offseason activity: He played a significant role in Los Angeles' successful bids to sign Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, helping to persuade the two veterans to team up with him for the upcoming season. Doncic said he campaigned with both players because he respected them as opponents. Ayton, Smart and several other Lakers showed up in El Segundo to congratulate Doncic on his new deal. 'Honestly, I think we have a great team,' Doncic said. 'We have what we need to compete for the championship. I will bring whatever I can bring and try to win every game no matter what. We've got some new great guys on the team, so you know we're going to go for it.'
