PFL 2025 World Tournament 1 Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Round 1

The first featherweight quarterfinal in the PFL 2025 World
Tournament kicks off the action at Universal Studios in Orlando,
Florida, as Kelly (11-3, 4-1 PFL) squares off with Kim (10-1, 0-0
PFL) at 145 pounds. Andrew Glenn serves as the third man in the
cage. They touch gloves, and we are underway. Kim sets up in the
southpaw stance while Kelly probes with the lead hand. Kelly fends
off a head kick and closes the distance, pressing the Korean into
the cage. Kelly scores with a few knees to the body, then tries to
power his way into a takedown. Kim denies it. They remain chest to
chest, with Kim’s back to the cage. Kelly troubles him with foot
stomps. Kelly stays patient. They jockey for position along the
fence. Kim turns the Irishman into the fence. Kelly returns the
favor. Some dirty boxing from Kelly before they separate. Sharp jab
from Kim, and he floors Kelly with a clean one-two. An overhand
left did the damage. Kim powers into top position, then moves to
the back and threatens with a rear-naked choke. Kim flirts with an
armbar, then turns his attention back to the neck. Ninety seconds
left.
Kim goes to work on a neck crank. Kelly bleeding from a wound near
his right eye. Kim switches arms in a bid for another rear-naked
choke. Kelly loses his grip on one of Kim’s hands, and the Korean
locks in the choke. Kelly refuses to tap and instead goes to
sleep.

The Official Result

Tae Kyun Kim def. Nathan Kelly—Technical Submission (Rear-Naked
Choke) 4:53 R1

Round 1

They keep the line moving with a welterweight quarterfinal pitting
Kikuiri (10-2-1, 0-0 PFL) against a fellow PFL debutant in Bachar
(9-2, 0-0 PFL). Keith Peterson administers the law and order. Glove
touch gets them started. Bachar shoots on an immediate takedown and
drives his opponent into the fence. Kikuiri defends initially. He
widens his base and withstands an attempted trip. Kikuiri turns
Bachar into the cage, as they enter the second minute. Peterson
urges action. Bachar switches to a high single-leg and briefly
takedown down Kikuiri. The Japanese standout immediately gets back
to his feet. Bachar turns his opponent into the fence and gets back
to work on a single-leg. His efforts go nowhere, and they stall
again in the clinch. Kikuiri separates and lets his hands go.
Bachar answers with a right, then a left. Thudding body kick from
Kikuiri. Bachar shoots again, pressing Kikuiri into the fence.
Kikuiri shuts it down and turns him into the fence. He separates
and lands a powerful right hand over the top. Bachar staggers.
Kikuiri rips punches to the body. Bachar returns fire and forces
his counterpart to backpedal. Pace slows with 30 seconds to go.
Kikuiri shoots on the hips, locks his hands behind Bachar and
eventually scores with a brief takedown.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kikuiri
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kikuiri
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Kikuiri

Round 2

Back at it for Round 2. Bachar doubles up on leg kicks and pins his
man to the fence with punches. Kikuiri circles out. Bachar flexes
some early aggression, shoots on the hips and drives Kikuiri to the
fence. Excellent balance from Kikuiri keeps him upright. He turns
Bachar into the fence and connects with a knee to the body.
Peterson again asks for more action. They separate. Kikuiri follows
his jab with a takedown attempt and settles in the clinch once
more. Grinding affair here. Bachar sneaks in a few knees to the
inner thigh, as they separate and float into open space. They trade
jabs. Lead left hook from Bachar bounces of the side of his
opponent’s head. Kikuiri drives into a takedown. Bachar gets to his
feet without issue. Back to work in the clinch they go. Kikuiri
gains the advantage and turns Bachar into the fence. Ninety seconds
left in the round. Kikuiri lands an elbow on the break. Leg kick
from Bachar. Kikuiri powers forward with a takedown and completes
it. Bachar counters by threatening with a guillotine and forces his
way back to his feet. More clinch work from both men. Bachar gets a
late takedown.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kikuiri
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kikuiri
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Kikuiri

In a stunning turn, Bachar—appearing to have suffered a knee
inujury—bows out between rounds.

The Official Result

Masayuki Kikuiri def. Giannis Bachar—TKO (Retirement) 5:00 R2

Round 1

Welterweights close out the undercard, as Jean (8-0, 4-0 PFL) puts
his perfect professional record on the line against Berkhamov
(17-2, 1-0 PFL) and a 145-pound quarterfinal. Glenn answers the
call to referee. They meet in the middle, both men pawing with
jabs. Chants of “Silverback” in support of Jean echo through the
arena. Measured pace through the first minute. Sharp front kick to
the body from Jean. Berkhamov bites on a feint and looks to
counter. The Russian sneaks in a jab. Takedown from Berkhamov. Jean
threatens with a tight guillotine, sets of a scramble and gets back
to his feet. They trade right hooks and exchange inside leg kicks.
Jean presses forward, with Berkhamov light on his feet. Jean gets
off two jabs, one to the head and one to the body. Inside leg kick
from Berkhamov. Double jab from Jean, followed by a body kick.
Berkhamov responds with a jab of his own. A minute to go.

Another body kick from Jean, who steps into a crushing counter left
hook that fells his opponent. He then swarms with hammerfists on
the fallen Barkhamov to procure the stoppage.

The Official Result

Thad Jean def. Mukhamed Berkhamov—TKO (Punches) 4:25 R1

Round 1

Moving along to the main card, Kennedy (19-5, 2-2 PFL) takes on a
2021 champion in the undefeated Khaybulaev (21-0-1, 7-0-1 PFL) in a
featherweight quarterfinal. Peterson serves as the third man in the
cage. They touch gloves to get us started. Kennedy takes the center
of the cage and focuses his initial efforts on his opponent’s lower
extremities. Khaybulaev narrowly misses a sweeping left hook and
lands a leg kick. Kennedy staggers him with a right hand, rushes
forward and settles into the clinch. Elbow over the top from the
Canadian. Khaybulaev content to hang out in the clinch while
recovering his faculties. Kennedy digs to the body and lands
another right hand upstairs. Khaybulaev’s knees buckle, and Kennedy
unleashes his hands. Khaybulaev in survival mode here but throws
back and works his way back to the clinch. Elbow over the top from
Kennedy. He wades through return fire and settles back into the
clinch. Not going well for the heavily favored Khaybulaev. Kennedy
again lands an elbow to the head. Khaybulaev on wobbly legs and
bleeding heavily from the nose as they separate and exchange.
Kennedy gets his jab in gear, shoots on a double-leg and secures a
takedown with 30 seconds to go. Round concludes in the clinch.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Kennedy
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Kennedy
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-8 Kennedy

Round 2

Kennedy enters Round 2 with a clear lead. Can he keep up the
momentum? Khaybulaev swings wildly and misses a left hook. Kennedy
commands the center and backs his opponent towards the cage.
Khaybulaev springs forward with an overhand right. Jab from
Kennedy, then another. Khaybulaev pushes the Canadian back with a
left hook. “JBC” undeterred. One-two from Khaybulaev sets Kennedy
on wobbly footing and a flying knee sends him to the canvas.
Elbow-laced ground-and-pound follows. Kennedy stands, only to get
pinned to the fence while eating elbows. He manages to clinch.
Khaybulaev secures a takedown. Two minutes to go, and the tide has
turned. Kennedy now bleeding from the side of the head. Khaybulaev
working towards a more dominant position. More elbows from the
rejuvenated Russian. Kennedy stands and shields himself. Khaybulaev
moves behind him and feeds him knees to the back of the leg.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Khaybulaev
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Khaybulaev
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Khaybulaev

Round 3

Anyone’s fight at the start of the third round. Khaybulaev gets
started with a leg kick and a jab. They clinch in the center and
meander to the fence. Both men score with knees and exchange short
punches. Khaybulaev wheels behind Kennedy and drags him briefly to
the mat. Kennedy gets back to his feet but cannot shake the
Russian. He turns him into the fence and works for a trip.
Khaybulaev denies it. Kennedy fires a few elbows to the side of the
head, forcing his opponent to bail on a double-leg. Khaybulaev
works behind him before they separate. Overhand right from Kennedy
staggers the Russian, who dives back into the clinch for cover.
Ninety seconds to go, and the outcome remains very much in doubt.
Kennedy stays close with a body lock and fires short knees to the
midsection. Khaybulaev turns him into the fence, drops down on the
hips and eats elbows to the side of the head. Chest to chest, they
exchange shots in the clinch. Khaybulaev drags Kennedy to his knees
as the fight ends.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kennedy (29-27 Kennedy)
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kennedy (29-27 Kennedy)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Kennedy (29-27 Kennedy)

The Official Result

Movlid Khaybulaev def. Jeremy Kennedy—Split Decision (28-29, 29-28,
29-28) 5:00 R3

Round 1

Welterweights step into the spotlight, as Storley (16-3, 1-1 PFL)
locks horns with Luciano (9-2, 0-0 PFL) in a 170-pound
quarterfinal. Luciano replaced Magomed Umalatov, who withdrew after
failing to make weight. Mignocchi administers the law and order.
They step forward and touch gloves. Check left hook from Luciano,
who then just misses a front kick up the middle. Storley shoots on
and completes a takedown, then drags him away from the cage and
consolidates his position. Not where Luciano wants to be. He gets
back to his feet but eats punches while doing so. Knee from
Storley, who completes another takedown and moves toward an
arm-triangle. Both men bleeding from cuts. Storley settles in full
guard, passes to side control and works behind Luciano, who tries
to build a base. Ninety seconds to go. Knee to the body from
Storley. Luciano gets back to his feet, only to be dragged down
again. Action stalls along the fence, with Luciano in a crouched
position. Storley maintains control and hammers away with knees to
the legs. They separate with 50 seconds to go. Luciano lands a
strong leg kick at the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Storley
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Storley
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Storley

Round 2

Back to work for Round 2. Body kick from Storley. Luciano answers
with a right hook, then cuts off a takedown. They trade punches in
the center. Rear-leg front kick to the body from Luciano, who
follows with a leg kick. Storley ducks in on the hips and secures a
takedown. Butterfly guard from Luciano. Storley passes easily to
side control before settling in half guard. Short punches from the
decorated wrestler, who looks to be in his element here. Storley
drops elbows and continues to extend his lead. He flirts with an
arm-triangle. Luciano defends. Storley turns to ground-and-pound,
postures and drops an elbow, then another. Luciano probably not
enjoying life right now. Storley passes to full mount with 35
seconds left. Luciano reclaims half guard, only to eat elbows and
forearm strikes for his efforts. Storley ends a dominant round in
top position.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Storley
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Storley
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Storley

Round 3

Luciano needs a stoppage, as the third round gets underway. Body
kick from Luciano greets the American. Storley presses forward,
gets in on the hips and completes another takedown.
Ground-and-pound ensues. Not the start for which Luciano was
looking. Luciano gets back to his feet but cannot shake Storley.
Back to the mat they go. Knee to the buttocks from Storley, who
maintains a dominant position even though he cannot yet get his
ground-and-pound going. He stays glued to Luciano, giving him no
room to breathe much less operate. Halfway home in the third round.
Storley pounds away with right hands and keeps Luciano grounded.
More knees to the rear end from the Kill Cliff Fight Club rep.
Ninety seconds left, and hope has dimmed for Luciano. Storley pins
him to the fence and feeds him short knees. Suffocating control
from the wrestler. Luciano seems resigned to his fate with 20
seconds to go in the match. Not the most exciting performance from
Storley, but it was undeniably effective.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Storley (30-27 Storley)
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Storley (30-27 Storley)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Storley (30-27 Storley)

The Official Result

Logan Storley def. Joseph Luciano—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27,
30-27)

Round 1

A welterweight showdown between former Bellator MMA champions
closes the show, as Jackson (18-5, 1-0 PFL) collides with Koreshkov
(28-5, 1-1 PFL) in the headliner. Peterson answers the call to
referee. They touch gloves and get down to business. Jackson opens
with a pair of leg kicks. He presses Koreshkov into the fence,
swarms with punches to the body and clinches. Jackson connects with
a few elbows to the leg, then knees. Heavy pressure from the
Jamaican. Koreshkov unable to get off the fence. Jackson drops down
on the hips. No luck. Koreshkov turns him into the fence. Jackson
regains control midway through the round. Peterson urges more
action. Knees to the body from Jackson. They separate with a minute
left. One-two from Jackson. Koreshkov stops a takedown and turns
Jackson into the fence. They jockey in the clinch again, and the
action stalls. Korsehkov drops in on a single-leg but goes nowhere.
Jackson misses a kick wildly and hits the deck at the end of the
round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Jackson

Round 2

Off we go for Round 2. Jackson commands the center, and they trade
leg kicks. Koreshkov level changes in a bid for a single-leg.
Jackson wise to it and chips away with elbows with the Russian
clinging to his leg. Jackson flattens out his sprawl and drives and
elbow into his counterpart’s ribcage. Koreshkov struggling to match
his opponent’s physicality here. Jackson connects with a knee and
clinches, then moves toward the back and drops another elbow to the
midsection. Jackson maneuvers into top position, threatens to climb
to full mount and forces Koreshkov onto all fours. He controls
Koreshkov from the rear waistlock, scores with knees and trips him
to the floor. Jackson lands a pair of shots to the back of the
head, one of them an elbow. Peterson pauses the action. They
restart after a five-minute delay.
Jackson lands a low kick, eats a one-two and ducks in to complete a
takedown. He climbs immediately to full mount and drops punches.
Jackson progresses to the back, snakes the arms in place for a
rear-naked choke and tightens his squeeze until Koreshkov loses
consciousness.

The Official Result

Jason Jackson def. Andrey Koreshkov—Technical Submission
(Rear-Naked Choke) 4:21 R2