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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - AUGUST 01: Thad Jean looks on before fighting Logan Storley during the finals of the PFL 2025 World Tournament at Boardwalk Hall on August 1, 2025 in Atlantic City, Florida. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Bummer.
Professional Fighters League (PFL) Washington D.C. just took a brutal late hit.
Welterweight superstar-in-the-making Thad Jean was supposed to collide with Shamil Musaev for the vacant Welterweight title this weekend (Sat., July 25, 2026) inside CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C.
Unfortunately, that banger is no more.
Musaev has withdrawn from the fight, according to MMA Junkie. Stepping in on short notice is Ernesto Rodriguez, who was already scheduled to compete on the card and will now fight Jean for the vacant title.
The reason for Musaev’s withdrawal is unknown at this time.
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Jean (11-0) has been phenomenal since joining PFL, going 7-0 under the promotion’s banner. That run eventually led to him winning the 2025 PFL World Tournament, where he defeated Mukhamed Berkhamov, Jason Jackson and Logan Storley.
“The Silverback” holds a 67 percent finish rate with five knockouts and one submission.
Rodriguez (11-1), meanwhile, will step into a title fight in just his second PFL appearance. The Cuban prospect won his promotional debut in March, defeating Masayuki Kikuiri.
He is also riding a nine-fight win streak.
So, no, this is not a terrible replacement.
But losing Jean vs. Musaev two days before fight night is still a massive bummer, especially because it was easily one of the best fights of the weekend in all of mixed martial arts (MMA).
Here is what PFL Washington D.C. looks like now:
Thad Jean vs. Ernesto Rodriguez
Tyson Pedro vs. Rafael Xavier
Sullivan Cauley vs. Rasul Magomedov
Eliezer Kubanza vs. Chris Mixan
Michael Cyr vs. Bryce Meredith
Brandon Davis vs. Nkosi Ndebele
Aaron McKenzie vs. TBD
Coby Bradford vs. Chad Yard
Noah Hermosillo vs. Jacob Pais
For all the latest PFL news and notes click here.
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