Thad Jean Says He's Top 3 At Welterweight

PFL welterweight champion Thad Jean has placed himself among the top three fighters at 170 pounds after defending his title last weekend.

Jean knocked out Ernesto Rodriguez at PFL DC to remain undefeated and has now set his sights on UFC competition. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, as reported by BJPenn.com, he rejected the notion that competing outside the UFC diminishes his standing.

Jean Dismisses PFL Critics On Path To UFC

"I'm up there. I'm top three," Jean said, per the BJPenn.com report. "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 is just as high as the people in the UFC and the reason you don't understand that, the reason you don't think so is because you're a casual."

Jean specifically called out welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry, who is scheduled to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 330. The PFL champion believes his combination of speed and power would translate directly to title contention if he were to make the jump.

Jean added that nothing would prevent him from becoming UFC welterweight champion once his PFL contract concludes. The unbeaten fighter could field offers from the promotion once his current deal expires.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — PFL champ Thad Jean puts himself in Top 3 of UFC welterweight division if he were to sign