Thad Jean has big plans for the future of PFL, and the next step is the toughest test ever.
Jean will face former Bellator welterweight champion Jason Jackson in the main event of PFL Nashville on Thursday. The match will serve as a semi-final matchup in the Division’s World Tournament, with the winners reaching the finals with a $500,000 shot and a top contender spot.
“The Silverback” started a Grand Prix style tournament as an alternative, but it had an immediate impact when he knocked out Muhammad Berkamov in the first round when his services were called. He not only plans to maintain the train, but he believes that a victory over Jackson will put him on the truck and join the likes of Dakota Diccheva and Paul Hughes as the face of the PFL.
“We’re the future of our company, no doubt,” Jean told MMA Fighting. “(Me) and Paul Hughes and Dakota, where did they start? In the European scene, in the European scene, right? Over there in the UK, they’re amazing. I want to be the same as Thad Jean.”
Jean is undefeated professionally, 5-0 in the PFL cage. The 26-year-old began running PFL as part of a promotional challenger series and made it public to become one of the company’s most exciting prospects.
With his victory over Jackson, Jean realizes that he is waiting for him in the aftermath, but he already believes he is one of the best welterweights in the world.
“I’m in the top 15 in the world, that’s what I’m going my way, and I’m in the top 15 in the world,” explained Jean. “I think I’m in the top five in the world. That’s my way of thinking. I haven’t had the opportunity to show it yet. That’s me. This is my opportunity to show it. People don’t know that. I’m doing everything I have to do.
“I can’t say I’m ignorant. I haven’t seen anything. Your concept of being able to even say I’m rog arrogant is arrogant because you don’t know me. This beats me, Jason Jackson, will he beat me? So I’m going to take it. Jason Jackson is another man in front of me and I have to praise him.
“To be honest, that’s the main event, as it goes against Jason Jackson. Veteran Jason Jackson, veteran veteran “Silverback” Jean against the up-and-coming Star Sad. What happens when these two Titans collide? That’s going to happen. ”
It’s not an easy test against Jackson, who won the opening round fight, but in April he submitted former Bellator champion Andrei Koleshkov in his second submission. Jackson has been 9-1 in his last 10 games and has his only loss after dropping the Bellaton title to Ramazan Kramagomedov at the Bellator Champions Series event in June 2024.
Jean understands the task at hand, but also sees the golden pot at the end of the rainbow.
“Sad Jean is the face of the PFL company and that’s what will happen,” Jean said. “At the end of this year, before this time next year, I will be the face of this company. I won’t say it next year (this time). In December this year, Sad Jean will be the face of PFL.
“People will see Tad Jean, he has an IT factor and people want to see that factor.