Jean Maintains Top-Three Status After PFL Title Win

Thad Jean insists he belongs among the top three welterweights in the world, and anyone who disagrees just doesn't understand the sport.

The undefeated PFL champion improved to 12-0 when he knocked out short-notice opponent Ernesto Rodriguez at PFL Washington over the weekend, according to MMA Mania. Jean was originally scheduled to face Shamil Musaev before weight cut complications scrapped that matchup hours before the event.

Jean Rejects UFC Ranking Bias

Jean addressed his standing in the welterweight hierarchy during a post-fight interview with Uncrowned, listing off UFC rankings before delivering his assessment. "I'm up there. I'm top 3," he said. "I know people talk trash about the PFL and say, 'Oh, because you're in the PFL, you're nothing.' The level of fighters in the PFL are just as high as the people in the UFC. The reason you don't understand that and the reason you don't think so, is because you're a casual."

The 28-year-old owns notable wins over Jason Jackson, Logan Storley, and Mukhamed Berkhamov. He told Uncrowned that nothing would prevent him from capturing UFC gold if he made the promotion switch.

PFL fighters face an uphill battle for mainstream recognition despite strong competition levels, per MMA Mania's report on the organization's viewership struggles. A title defense against Musaev when that fight gets rescheduled would strengthen Jean's claim to elite status.

Original reporting:

• mmamania.com — PFL champ Thad Jean is Top Three in the world, and only casuals disagree | MMA Mania