Jason Jackson advances
ORLANDO, FL. (April 3, 2025) – The First Round of the 2025 PFL World Tournament is officially underway following tonight’s action at Universal Studios Florida, where four fighters in both the Welterweight and Featherweight divisions punched their tickets to June’s Semifinals.
At 170-pounds, Jason Jackson (18-5) will meet undefeated Thad Jean (9-0), while Logan Storley (17-3) will face Japan’s Masayuki Kikuiri (11-2-1) in the Semifinals.
In the 145-pound Semifinals, Jesus Pinedo (24-6) will now face Gabriel Braga (16-2) in a highly anticipated trilogy bout, while undefeated Movlid Khaybulaev (22-0-1) meets South Korea’s Taekyun Kim (11-1).
The main event featured two former Bellator Welterweight Champions, Jason Jackson and Andrey Koreshkov (28-6), in a matchup that primarily unfolded on the canvas until multiple illegal strikes from Jackson briefly halted the action. Upon resuming, Jackson immediately secured another takedown and locked in a deep rear-naked choke, putting Koreshkov to sleep before he could tap out.
The co-main event featured 2023 PFL Featherweight World Champion Jesus Pinedo battling Hungary’s Adam Borics (19-3) for a Semifinal spot. Two stiff left hands sent Borics to the canvas, where the “Pride of Peru” quickly pounced, ending the fight with hammerfists in the opening round.
In the Welterweight division, Australia’s Joseph Luciano (10-3) stepped in on just a day’s notice to face former Bellator Champion Logan Storley. As has often been the case throughout Storley’s career, his elite wrestling proved dominant, completely neutralizing Luciano and allowing the South Dakota-native to cruise into the Semifinals.
Kicking off the main card, Canada’s Jeremy Kennedy (19-6) and 2021 PFL Featherweight World Champion Movlid Khaybulaev battled intensely over 15 minutes, with both fighters nearly securing finishes. Ultimately, Khaybulaev edged out a razor-thin split decision victory, advancing to the Semifinals.
The 2025 PFL World Tournament continues next Friday, April 11, with the Bantamweights & Women’s Flyweights competing live on ESPN 2, ESPN+ and DAZN.
2025 PFL World Tournament 1: First Round Main Card Results:
Jason Jackson (19-5) def. Andrey Koreshkov (28-5) via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:21 of round two
Jesus Pinedo (24-6) def. Adam Borics (19-3) via TKO (punches) at 3:43 of round one
Logan Storley (17-3) def. Joseph Luciano (10-3) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Movlid Khaybulaev (22-0-1) def. Jeremy Kennedy (19-6) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2025 PFL World Tournament 1: First Round Early Card Results:
Thad Jean (9-0) def. Mukhamed Berkhamov (17-3) via knockout at 4:25 of round one
Gabriel Braga (16-2) def. Fred Dupras (8-2) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:37 of round one
Masayuki Kikuiri (11-2-1) def. Giannis Bachar (9-3) via TKO (retirement) at 5:00 of round two
Taekyun Kim (11-1) def. Nathan Kelly (11-4) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:53 of round one
Upcoming 2025 PFL World Tournament Schedule:
2025 PFL World Tournament 2: First Round – April 11 – Universal Studios Florida, Stage 19
2025 PFL World Tournament 3: First Round – April 18 – Universal Studios Florida, Stage 19
2025 PFL World Tournament 4: First Round – May 1 – Universal Studios Florida, Stage 19
2025 PFL World Tournament 5: Semifinals – June 12 – Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Nashville
2025 PFL World Tournament 6: Semifinals – June 20 – INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita
2025 PFL World Tournament 7: Semifinals – June 27 – Wintrust Arena, Chicago
2025 PFL World Tournament 8: Finals – August 1 – Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
2025 PFL World Tournament 9: Finals – August 15 – Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, NC
2025 PFL World Tournament 10: Finals – August 21 – Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida
