Overview
- PFL announced Wednesday that Thad Jean will face Shamil Musaev for the 170-pound belt at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C., with the main card airing live on ESPN.
- The title is open because Ramazan Kuramagomedov defeated Musaev on February 7 at PFL Dubai, then retired and was stripped of the championship.
- Jean enters at 11-0 after winning the 2025 PFL tournament with wins over Mukhamed Berkhamov, former Bellator champion Jason Jackson, and Logan Storley.
- Musaev captured the 2024 PFL championship during the league’s prior season format and now returns at 18-1-1 after his lone loss to Kuramagomedov.
- PFL CEO John Martin billed the matchup as a world championship showcase between two elite welterweights, signaling the league’s push to spotlight its title fights on ESPN.