Thad Jean harbors significant aspirations for his future within the PFL, with his upcoming bout presenting the most formidable challenge he has encountered thus far.
Jean is scheduled to face former Bellator welterweight champion Jason Jackson in the featured fight of PFL Nashville on Thursday. This contest serves as a semifinal match in the division`s World Tournament, with the victor advancing to the finals for an opportunity to win $500,000 and secure a top contender position.
Dubbed “The Silverback,” Jean initially entered the grand prix-style competition as an alternate but made an immediate impact when called upon, delivering a first-round knockout against Mukhamed Berkhamov. He is determined to maintain this momentum and firmly believes that defeating Jackson will position him to become one of the leading figures in the PFL, standing alongside athletes like Dakota Ditcheva and Paul Hughes.
“We are undoubtedly the future of our organization, man,” Jean shared with MMA Fighting. “Look at Dakota and Paul; they began in the European circuit, right? Over in England, and they are phenomenal. See what they have accomplished. See what they have contributed to the PFL Europe scene. And then Dakota Ditcheva came here and delivered a memorable performance too. She didn’t just talk the talk; she came stateside and finished her opponents… she stopped every fighter, and that is remarkable. I want to achieve the same with Thad Jean.”
Jean boasts an unblemished professional record and is 5-0 inside the PFL cage. The 26-year-old started his PFL journey through the promotion`s Challenger Series and has since evolved into one of its most compelling prospects.
While Jean recognizes the potential rewards of a victory over Jackson, he already considers himself one of the elite welterweights globally, even heading into the fight.
“That I’m a top 15 fighter globally – and things will unfold in a way that proves I am indeed top-15 in the world,” Jean explained. “My mindset is that I’m actually top 5 in the world. I just haven’t had the chance to demonstrate it yet. This is my opportunity to show it. People may not realize it and might perceive it as, ‘Oh, this guy is talking arrogantly. Oh, he`s not putting in the necessary work.’ I am doing everything I must. I am the one consistently facing the internal struggles within the training process. You simply haven`t witnessed it.
“You cannot accuse me of ignorance. You haven’t seen anything. Your very assumption that I am arrogant is arrogance itself because you do not know me. For me, defeating Jason Jackson will place me in the top 10, correct? Every fighter he has defeated, I will defeat. So I will claim that spot, and then whoever else I need to overcome to reach the No. 1 position, that is where I will be. I refuse to follow; I need to lead, and I must defeat everyone standing before me, and Jason Jackson is another opponent in my path whom I must overcome. All respect to him, and I appreciate him.”
“Let’s be honest, the fact that it is against Jason Jackson makes this the main event. Jason Jackson, a seasoned veteran, versus the rising star Thad ‘The Silverback’ Jean. What will transpire when these two forces clash? Thad will emerge victorious. Thad will then seize that momentum, receive the recognition, and continue to elevate this without limitation, reaching the highest possible level. That is precisely what is going to happen.”
Facing Jackson is by no means an easy task. Jackson secured his opening round victory with a second-round submission against fellow former Bellator champion Andrey Koreshkov in April. Jackson holds a 9-1 record in his last 10 appearances, with his sole defeat occurring after he lost the Bellator title to Ramazan Kuramagomedov at a Bellator Champions Series event in June 2024.
Jean acknowledges the difficulty of the challenge ahead but also clearly sees the significant prize waiting at the end of the journey.
“Thad Jean is destined to be the face of the PFL organization, and that is precisely how it will be,” Jean stated. “By the conclusion of this year, well before this time arrives again next year, I will have become the face of this company. In fact, I won’t even say next year: I am declaring that by December of this year, Thad Jean will become the face of the PFL, and I mean that with complete sincerity and conviction.”
“People will recognize that Thad Jean possesses that intangible ‘it factor,’ and they will be drawn to watch that quality. They will either hope to see that ‘it factor’ face defeat or they will want to witness me win. Both outcomes are favorable. Views are always excellent regardless, it makes no difference to me. Simply tune in and watch.”
