PFL D.C. Results: Jean vs. Rodriguez - MMA Fighting

What the report says

MMA Fighting reported that Thad Jean defeated Ernesto Rodriguez by third-round TKO to win the vacant PFL welterweight title in the main event of PFL D.C. at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night. The stoppage came at 2:44 of Round 3, according to the results published by MMA Fighting Newswire and updated early Sunday UTC.

The matchup changed shortly before fight night. Jean, identified by MMA Fighting as the 2025 PFL welterweight champion, had been scheduled to meet 2024 PFL champion Shamil Musaev for the vacant belt. Musaev withdrew during fight week, and Rodriguez, who had been slated for an undercard bout against Aaron McKenzie, moved into the title fight on late notice.

In the co-main event, Rafael Xavier stopped Tyson Pedro with strikes at 4:59 of the first round in a light heavyweight contest. Other main-card results included Rasul Magomedov earning a unanimous decision over Sullivan Cauley, with all three judges scoring it 29-28, and Eliezer Kubanza submitting Chris Mixan by D’arce choke at 2:34 of Round 2.

The preliminary card streamed on ESPN+ before the main card aired on ESPN, per MMA Fighting. Bryce Meredith, Nkosi Ndebele and Noah Hermosillo each won unanimous decisions, while Coby Bradford submitted Chad Yard by rear-naked choke in the second round. The event matters for PFL’s welterweight division because Jean leaves Washington with the organization’s vacant title after a disrupted main-event buildup.