Preview: PFL 2025 World Tournament First Round 1

Welterweight Quarterfinal

Thad Jean (8-0, 4-0 PFL) vs. Mukhamed Berkhamov (17-2, 1-0 PFL): The PFL had been patiently bringing the undefeated Jean through the ranks, but he has shown enough promise in his short career to get thrown into the deep end of the welterweight tournament pool immediately. Berkhamov is a 12-year veteran who has taken down world-class fighters such as Lorenz Larkin and Ray Cooper III. This fight will test Jean’s mettle, as Berkhamov is a skilled grappler with nine submissions on his ledger.

Featherweight Quarterfinal

Gabriel Braga (15-2, 7-2 PFL) vs. Frederik Dupras (8-1, 0-0 PFL): Braga has proven himself to be one of the PFL’s top featherweights over his two years in the promotion but has fallen short of the title in both seasons. The 26-year-old Brazilian was set to face savvy French veteran Yves Landu in the first round but will turn his attention to a replacement opponent on four days’ notice. Dupras comes into his PFL debut on a six-fight submission streak.

Featherweight Quarterfinal

Nathan Kelly (11-3, 4-1 PFL) vs. Tae Kyun Kim (10-1, 0-0 PFL): SBG Ireland’s Kelly was surging up the ranks before having his 11-fight win streak snapped back in January. Kelly is a skilled striker, but he’ll have to be cautious against the 5-foot-11-inch South Korean. Kim’s career has been plagued by inactivity, and he hasn’t fought in over 14 months. However, his power and reach make him an interesting threat at featherweight.

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Welterweight Quarterfinal

Masayuki Kikuiri (10-2-1, 0-0 PFL) vs. Giannis Bachar (9-2, 0-0 PFL): Kikuiri is believed to be the best welterweight prospect out of Japan. He’s heavy-handed and explosive and boasts seven knockouts on his record, including a third-round stoppage of Herman Terrado on a Bellator Champions Series undercard in September. Bachar hails from Greece and hasn’t lost a fight in over nine years. Only one of Bachar’s 11 bouts has gone the distance. However, his lack of activity makes him a clear underdog against Kikuiri.

Welterweights

Joseph Luciano (9-2, 0-0 PFL) vs. Sarek Shields (6-2, 0-0 PFL): Luciano shined on a Bellator Champions Series card in September, when he submitted Steven Hill in the second round of their welterweight tilt. The Australian has won his last two fights by submission. Meanwhile, Shields also enters the cage on the heels of a submission victory.