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The fight game is an unforgiving one.
Per MMA Junkie on Thursday, PFL DC will no longer feature Thad Jean (10-0) vs. Shamil Musaev (18-1-1) in the main attraction. Due to problems from his weight cut, Musaev has been forced to withdraw from his welterweight championship affair headlining the card at the CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C. In the Russian’s stead will be Ernesto Rodriguez (11-1), who first posted of his change in opponent and vastly elevated stakes on Wednesday night—he was expecting to battle Aaron McKenzie—and then fully confirmed the news shortly after its announcement. Jean did as well shortly thereafter on his Instagram Stories. PFL released a statement following those social media posts.
This is one of numerous cancelations on fight week and earlier, as Professional Fighters League athletes Magomed Umalatov, Jack Cartwright, Denis Goltsov, Bruno Cappelozza and Mando Gutierrez were all booked for this fight card at one time. Due to a number of largely undeclared reasons—Cappelozza encountered issues with his visa—all of those combatants and their scheduled pairings have either been canceled or switched around on this card or to another. For instance, Cappelozza vs. Valentin Moldavsky has been bumped to PFL Charlotte in August. The current PFL DC lineup sees eight matches remaining, although the promotion has not indicated if any late-notice fights will be slotted on the billing.
Jean was vying to become the first U.S.-born PFL champion atop this event—not including those that won tournaments—and he will still receive that honor. “Silverback” comes into this five-rounder with ample momentum on his side as the winner of the final PFL tourney in 2025. There, he knocked out Mukhamed Berkhamov, outworked Jason Jackson and outperformed Logan Storley in the span of four months to claim a $500,000 check and chance for PFL gold.
“Starboy” Rodriguez seizes this opportunity having won his PFL debut in March. Against Masayuki Kikuiri, he snagged a majority decision despite dropping what many observers felt was a 10-8 third round, completing a bout in which all three Sherdog official scorers turned in 28-28 draw tallies. The fighter born in Cuba worked his way up the Tuff-N-Uff ladder from 2022 to 2025, culminating in six wins with the Las Vegas-based league to reach a major organization.
Tyson Pedro vs. Rafael Xavier – light heavyweight
Sullivan Cauley vs. Rasul Magomedov – light heavyweight
Eliezer Kubanza vs. Chris Mixan – welterweight
Bryce Meredith vs. Michael Cyr – 140-pound catchweight
Brandon Davis vs. Nkosi Ndebele – 140-pound catchweight
Chad Yard vs. Coby Bradford – light heavyweight
Noah Hermosillo vs. Jacob Pais – featherweight
Continue reading...
Per MMA Junkie on Thursday, PFL DC will no longer feature Thad Jean (10-0) vs. Shamil Musaev (18-1-1) in the main attraction. Due to problems from his weight cut, Musaev has been forced to withdraw from his welterweight championship affair headlining the card at the CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C. In the Russian’s stead will be Ernesto Rodriguez (11-1), who first posted of his change in opponent and vastly elevated stakes on Wednesday night—he was expecting to battle Aaron McKenzie—and then fully confirmed the news shortly after its announcement. Jean did as well shortly thereafter on his Instagram Stories. PFL released a statement following those social media posts.
This is one of numerous cancelations on fight week and earlier, as Professional Fighters League athletes Magomed Umalatov, Jack Cartwright, Denis Goltsov, Bruno Cappelozza and Mando Gutierrez were all booked for this fight card at one time. Due to a number of largely undeclared reasons—Cappelozza encountered issues with his visa—all of those combatants and their scheduled pairings have either been canceled or switched around on this card or to another. For instance, Cappelozza vs. Valentin Moldavsky has been bumped to PFL Charlotte in August. The current PFL DC lineup sees eight matches remaining, although the promotion has not indicated if any late-notice fights will be slotted on the billing.
Jean was vying to become the first U.S.-born PFL champion atop this event—not including those that won tournaments—and he will still receive that honor. “Silverback” comes into this five-rounder with ample momentum on his side as the winner of the final PFL tourney in 2025. There, he knocked out Mukhamed Berkhamov, outworked Jason Jackson and outperformed Logan Storley in the span of four months to claim a $500,000 check and chance for PFL gold.
“Starboy” Rodriguez seizes this opportunity having won his PFL debut in March. Against Masayuki Kikuiri, he snagged a majority decision despite dropping what many observers felt was a 10-8 third round, completing a bout in which all three Sherdog official scorers turned in 28-28 draw tallies. The fighter born in Cuba worked his way up the Tuff-N-Uff ladder from 2022 to 2025, culminating in six wins with the Las Vegas-based league to reach a major organization.
PFL DC Current Lineup
Thad Jean vs. Ernesto Rodriguez – welterweightTyson Pedro vs. Rafael Xavier – light heavyweight
Sullivan Cauley vs. Rasul Magomedov – light heavyweight
Eliezer Kubanza vs. Chris Mixan – welterweight
Bryce Meredith vs. Michael Cyr – 140-pound catchweight
Brandon Davis vs. Nkosi Ndebele – 140-pound catchweight
Chad Yard vs. Coby Bradford – light heavyweight
Noah Hermosillo vs. Jacob Pais – featherweight
Continue reading...
