The Professional Fighters League (PFL) wrapped up its World Tournament Finals at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, crowning champions in both the featherweight and welterweight divisions. In the co-main featherweight title fight, undefeated Movlid Khaybulaev (24-0-1) submitted Jesus Pinedo in the fifth round via arm-triangle choke, securing his second PFL championship. The main event saw rising star Thad Jean prevail against Logan Storley by unanimous decision, improving his record to a flawless 11-0 with a dominant performance across three rounds.
The night featured several standout finishes, including Fred Dupras scoring a guillotine choke submission, Jordan Newman knocking out his opponent with a flying knee, and Sarek Shields earning a TKO victory after a doctor’s stoppage. These moments continued to build on the PFL’s reputation for action-packed, tournament-style MMA that delivers on major platforms like ESPN and ESPN+.
Thad Jean’s unanimous decision win was marked by superior striking and cage control. The judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in his favor. His victory over a tough opponent like Storley, a former Bellator contender, marked a defining moment in his career and underscored his rise within the welterweight division. Movlid Khaybulaev, meanwhile, demonstrated technical mastery and resilience, eventually submitting Jesus Pinedo late in the fifth round after a competitive and grueling battle. The win marked his second featherweight championship, having previously claimed the PFL title in 2021.
Meanwhile in New Jersey, WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown broadcast from the Prudential Center in Newark served as the go-home episode before SummerSlam’s highly anticipated two-night pay-per-view on August 2 and 3. One of the episode’s marquee moments featured Giulia defending the Women’s United States Championship against Zelina Vega. Accompanied by manager Kiana James, Giulia retained her title in a rematch that added intensity to their ongoing storyline.
Elsewhere on the card, Aleister Black faced off against Damian Priest in a high-stakes singles match that had been building for weeks. The bout was the culmination of tensions involving multiple stars and storyline twists that elevated the stakes heading into SummerSlam.
Adding to the star power of the episode was a surprise appearance by John Cena, who turned babyface in a dramatic segment that energized the live crowd. Cena’s turn set the stage for his upcoming SummerSlam title clash with Cody Rhodes. Another segment featured country music star Jelly Roll continuing his crossover into pro wrestling, participating in backstage segments and promos ahead of his tag team match with Randy Orton against Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre.
SmackDown also included a notable debut from AAA tag team Los Garza, who successfully defended their titles in an open challenge. Their arrival adds international flavor to WWE’s tag team division and builds on the company’s collaboration with AAA, Mexico’s top wrestling promotion.
The night concluded with an explosive faceoff involving Orton, Jelly Roll, Paul, and McIntyre. The confrontation ended in chaos, leaving fans with heightened anticipation for the dramatic showdowns promised at SummerSlam.
Both events showcased the full spectrum of martial arts entertainment, with the PFL delivering decisive championship bouts and WWE using live television to build narrative momentum ahead of its summer marquee event. The back-to-back spectacles on the East Coast highlighted how combat sports and sports entertainment continue to captivate fans with both real-life athletic feats and scripted drama.