Atlantic City, NJ — Welterweight Thad Jean has been one of the biggest stories of the PFL World Tournament.
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.
