Preview: PFL 2025 World Tournament First Round 1

The Professional Fighters League will get down to business when it kicks off the PFL 2025 World Tournament on Thursday at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Expect a banger of a card, headlined by a welterweight quarterfinal between former Bellator MMA champions Jason Jackson and Andrey Koreshkov.

Meanwhile, onetime PFL featherweight titleholder Jesus Pinedo makes his long-awaited return to the SmartCage when his 145-pound quarterfinal opposite Adam Borics slides into the co-main event slow. Further down the draw, a number of talented welterweights and featherweights seek to secure their spots in their respective semifinals.

The PFL will dish out $20 million in total prize money across eight different weight classes. With $500,000 set aside for each division champion, the stakes could not be higher. Gone are the days of standings and seeding, replaced by a simple message: Survive and advance.

Now to the PFL 2025 World Tournament First Round 1 preview:

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the PFL World Tournament LIVE at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Welterweight Quarterfinal

Jason Jackson (18-5, 1-0 PFL) vs. Andrey Koreshkov (28-5, 1-1 PFL)

Jackson has built his career on making his doubters look foolish. Few thought he would be the one to dethrone Yaroslav Amosov, but “The Ass-Kicking Machine” lived up to his name in devastating fashion to claim the Bellator welterweight title. With his fun, explosive style and even more explosive mic skills, Jackson appeared to be a breath of fresh air for Bellator in terms of developing marketable champions. This is likely why Jackson was disappointed to learn that he wouldn’t receive an immediate rematch with Ramazan Kurmagomedov after losing the belt to him in June. Jackson’s fight with Kurmagomedov was close but not convincing. Jackson started slow and hesitant due to Kurmagomedov’s heavy wrestling. He wasn’t being dominated but was so nullified that the judges held it against him. Jackson finally started to show signs of life in the final two rounds, but it was too little too late for the Kingston, Jamaica, native. With his belt gone an immediate rematch seemed likely, but the PFL felt that Jackson’s services could be better used to fill out a talented welterweight tournament. Jackson is simply happy to have another potential ass to kick. Koreshkov is a PFL veteran and former Bellator champion in his own right. Despite hovering around each other for most of their careers, the two men have never fought, but there’s no better time than the present to settle it.

Koreshkov had an up-and-down PFL season in 2024. He dropped the opener to Magomed Umalatov but rebounded to beat Goiti Yamauchi in a three-round decision. Koreshkov can fight on any level, but his speed has noticeably dwindled over the years. With both men entering this fight at 34, neither can rely on youth and athleticism to pull out a victory. Koreshkov is more of a machine, as he comes forward and uses his striking to set up his clinch work, whereas Jackson is more of a defensive wrestler who uses his superior foot speed to set up fight-ending bombs. If Koreshkov dictates the terms of engagement, it could be another frustrating night for Jackson, who thrives on fighters opening up with him. Jackson needs to lead the dance and establish his power over Koreshkov early. If Jackson lets his hands go, there’s little question that Koreshkov’s striking can keep up. Expect Jackson to start this fight slow but eventually find the fight-finishing knockout to close out the night.

Continue Reading »
Jackson vs. Koreshkov
Pinedo vs. Borics
Umalatov vs. Storley
Kennedy vs. Khaybulaev
The Prelims