PFL 2025 World Tournament One to Watch: Logan Storley

The Professional Fighters League’s welterweight tournament semifinals are approaching, they will feature one of the best matchups the company could have this year, and the promotion had no involvement in making it. The main event in Nashville will see rising talent Thad Jean face former Bellator world champion Jason Jackson for a spot in the welterweight tournament championship, with heat building between the two of them that is making for a must-see matchup.

While Jackson and Jean sit atop the marquee in the main event, a former champion takes the spotlight as Logan Storley works his own path back for a chance to add a PFL championship to his collection. A onetime Bellator MMA interim titleholder, Storley had previously been scheduled to open this year’s tournament against Magomed Umalatov, but would end up facing Joseph Luciano on short notice, picking up a unanimous decision victory to advance into the semifinals.

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the Semifinals of the PFL World Tournament LIVE Thursday, June 12 at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+

From the beginning, a former champion with Storley’s credibility and resume was going to be one that was highly favored in his division’s bracket. Now facing Masayuki Kikuiri in the Semifinals, Storley should be expected to do what he has done in his entire career: get the victory by any means necessary.

Rather than discuss his previous fight history, it’s more beneficial to examine just how perfectly suited Storley is for the tournament style format. As a former four-time All-American wrestler, the single-elimination, prepare for anyone and anything is exactly what Storley is accustomed to, and it is now how he can approach the PFL tournament.

In 2024, Storley felt a big difference in the former regular season points format that the PFL was using, where there were outside circumstances that played a factor in a fighter’s opportunity to advance. Although he was defeated by Shamil Musaev, the eventual 2024 champion, Storley has a clearer direction to fight his own style this year, and excel at what he does. Not needing to watch the clock or focus on a specific method of victory, Storley can drag down any and all opponents, including Kikuiri, and control the fight wherever he decides to take it.

Jackson and Jean may be stealing the spotlight and deservedly so, but a champion like Storley can simply not be overlooked. He’s been at the top of the mountain, he’s motivated by the world tournament, and he has an opportunity to add a new promotional belt to his collection, next to his former Bellator title. With all the intrigue on the main event in Nashville, Storley could silently be awaiting his opportunity to let the cards fall as they may, fight his own style, and become champion once again.