Thad Jean stops Rodriguez in wild brawl for PFL welterweight title

Thad Jean won the PFL welterweight title Saturday night, but not before late-notice opponent Ernesto Rodriguez nearly pulled off a shocking upset in the main event.

Rodriguez stepped in on 48 hours' notice after Shamil Musaev withdrew due to weight-cutting problems, per MMA Fighting. The Cuban fighter had been scheduled for the undercard but instead seized the title opportunity and nearly finished Jean in the second round with a knockdown and back control. Jean survived and rallied in the third, flattening Rodriguez on the canvas and landing a barrage of punches and elbows until the referee stopped the fight at 2:44.

Jean weathered early adversity to secure finish

Jean started fast, dropping Rodriguez with a jab and battering him with kicks and knees in round one. A big knee up the middle wobbled Rodriguez badly, and Jean took the back hunting for a choke before his opponent scrambled free. But Rodriguez stunned Jean with a right hand early in round two, dropped him to the mat, and threatened submissions from the back. Jean escaped and nearly locked an arm-triangle before the bell.

Both fighters looked gassed entering the final frame, but Jean regained control on the ground, moved to mount, and forced the stoppage with ground-and-pound. "I knew I would be hearing my name called as champion," Jean said after the win, per MMA Fighting. "What an opponent. He really brought it to me. I knew I was going to take it from him."

Rodriguez lost the fight but proved himself a live contender who could earn another crack at Jean down the line. Jean defends the welterweight strap next against whoever emerges from the PFL roster, possibly Musaev if the Russian can resolve his weight issues.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Thad Jean stops Ernesto Rodriguez after wild back-and-forth brawl to claim title in PFL D.C. main event