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Thad Jean becomes PFL Welterweight champion with knockout win over Rodriguez

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 29, 2026, 7:00 AM

Last updated Jul 29, 2026

Thad Jean becomes PFL Welterweight champion with knockout win over Rodriguez

Summary

Thad Jean secured the PFL Welterweight title on July 26, 2026, with a knockout victory against Ernesto Rodriguez in Washington, D.C. Initially scheduled to face Shamil Musaev, Jean's fight changed due to Musaev's weight cut issues. Jean, now undefeated at 12-0, claims he belongs among the top three welterweights worldwide, despite industry skepticism regarding PFL athletes. He has expressed a desire to defend his title against quality opponents moving forward.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Thad Jean knocked out Ernesto Rodriguez to win the PFL Welterweight title.
•Jean is undefeated with a record of 12-0.
•He was initially set to fight Shamil Musaev before weight issues led to a change.
•Jean believes he is among the top three welterweights globally.
•Future title defenses could bolster the PFL's reputation for producing top talent.

Latest Updates

7:00 AMYahoo Sports — Thad Jean Is Top Three, Only Casuals Disagree

What they're saying

"
Thad Jean believes he’s one of the best Welterweights on the planet. Undefeated at 12-0, the 28-year-old “Silverback” picked up a sensational knockout win over short-notice replacement Ernesto Rodriguez over the weekend to become PFL Welterweight champion (highlights here). Jean was supposed to face highly touted Russian ace Shamil Musaev, but unfortunately weight cut issues […]
— Yahoo Sports

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