Unbeaten Thad Jean faces Shamil Musaev for vacant PFL welterweight title in Washington D.C.

The Professional Fighters League has finalised an 11-fight card for July 25 at Carefirst Arena in Washington, D.C., with the vacant welterweight title on the line as undefeated Thad Jean (11-0) takes on Shamil Musaev (18-1-1). The 170-pound crown was left open after reigning champion Ramazan Kuramagomedov announced his retirement.

Jean’s path to the title fight has been one of the more rapid rises in recent PFL history. The Florida-based fighter first appeared on the Challenger Series in 2023, earning a PFL contract by defeating Eric Alequin. He then announced himself emphatically in the PFL 7 2023 Playoffs by stopping Ali Omar in under two minutes. Jean went on to win the 2025 tournament at welterweight, defeating Mukhamed Berkhamov, Jason Jackson, and Logan Storley on scorecards along the way.

Musaev, a Dagestan native, earned his shot at the belt by winning the 2024 PFL welterweight tournament. His bracket required him to knock out Storley and Murad Ramazanov, beat Ramazanov again in the playoffs, and then finish Magomed Umalatov — handing the previously unbeaten fighter his first professional loss — to claim the $1 million prize. Musaev subsequently challenged Kuramagomedov for the title but fell short in that contest and has not competed since.

The full 11-bout card also features a number of notable matchups across multiple weight classes. Former UFC light heavyweight Tyson Pedro meets Rafael Xavier, while Valentin Moldavsky and Bruno Cappelozza clash in another light heavyweight contest. Sullivan Cauley faces Rasul Magomedov, and Chad Yard takes on Coby Bradford, both at light heavyweight. Denis Goltsov meets Hasan Mezhiev at heavyweight, and Magomed Umalatov — looking to rebound from his first career defeat — faces Ernesto Rodriguez at welterweight.

The remainder of the card rounds out as follows: Bryce Meredith vs. Jack Cartwright at bantamweight, Mando Gutierrez vs. Nkosi Ndebele at bantamweight, Eliezer Kubanza vs. Chris Mixan at welterweight, and Noah Hermosillo vs. Jacob Pais at featherweight.