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THAD JEAN GAVE 110% 🔋

WHAT A BATTLE#PFLDC | Main Card LIVE NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/iTAj3uzkjn

— PFL (@PFLMMA) July 26, 2026

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Thad Jean overcomes late replacement Ernesto Rodriguez after Shamil Musaev withdraws to capture the PFL welterweight championship Carefirst Arena in Washington, D.C., was the venue for Professional Fighters League's latest “Summer Series” fight night on Saturday, July 25.

In the main event, two of the top welterweights in the world were due to battle it out as 2025 tournament champion Thad Jean was set to fight 2024 tourney king Shamil Musaev, but the latter had complications with his weight cut and was replaced by Ernesto Rodriguez.

We were initially scheduled to an incredible fight on paper, but what we got in practice was somehow even more special as Jean and Rodriguez went to war from the bell. Jean was rattled by Rodriguez right hands multiple times in the opening frame, but gave a…

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It wasn’t especially compelling viewing, but Magomed Ankalaev (21-2-1) showed beyond a doubt that he is simply too much for the vast majority of light heavyweights to handle.

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In the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday at Etihad Arena, the recently dethroned champ faced Bogdan Guskov (18-4-1), who was promoted from next week’s Belgrade card to headliner duty when Khalil Rountree withdrew from the fight last month. Guskov had the opportunity to jump the line to a title shot if he could defeat Ankalaev, but there never appeared to be even the slightest chance, as the Dagestani dominated virtually every moment of the fight.

The first round was a tense affair, as Ankalaev employed his usual methodical approach on the feet while Guskov constantly switched stances and moved in and out of range, looking for an opportunity to land one of his trademark power shots. The haymaker never came, but Guskov landed enough kicks to…

Sherdog's live UFC Abu Dhabi coverage will begin Saturday at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT. The event is also known as UFC Fight Night 281. Round 1 Good morning, Vietnam Abu Dhabi! Hey, this is not a test. This is rock and roll. Time to rock it from the Nile delta to the UAE. Is that me, or does that sound like an Elvis Presley movie? Viva Yas Island. Yas Island me, Yas Island me, why don’t they get a…anyway, it’s time for the breakfast of champions: fist fighting in the early morn. The show opens with a bantamweight battle that may make referee Mike Beltran relieved as it might end in the blink of an eye. Gibson (21-12, 3-7 UFC) has his back against the wall in his second UFC stint, while Hussein (15-2, 0-0 UFC) is going to try his utmost to make a good first impression. Solid sportsmanship from the two is on display as the athletes gladly touch ‘em up to begin our day. Hussein, the shorter man, comes out of his corner reaching out his jab. Gibson swats him back with hooks that are …