Returning to the United States for the first time since May 1st, the PFL is set to put on another thrilling fight card in PFL Nashville. Being touted as the Clash of the Caribbean, former Bellator star Jason Jackson locks horns with rising up-and-comer Thad Jean in a highly-anticipated welterweight tilt. Before that, though, Peruvian knockout artist Jesus Pinedo comes to blows with Brazilian standout Gabriel Braga.
PFL Nashville Main Event
After dropping his strap to Ramazan Kuramagomedov last year, previous Bellator champion Jackson bounced back into the winner’s circle in stellar fashion by submitting Andrey Koreshkov in the second round. Aiming to reclaim his place as one of the top 170-lb athletes on the planet, “The Ass-Kicking Machine” has his eyes set on bringing down the heavy-handed Jean with another remarkable performance in PFL Nashville Thursday night.
With just five bouts in the promotion, Jean has become one of the most popular fighters on the whole PFL roster. Undefeated across his nine contests as a pro, “The Silverback” will tussle with his most experienced foe to date in what has all the makings of a slobber- knocker main event during Thursday’s PFL Nashville.
PFL Nashville Co-Main Event
Reputed for his tendency to end his fights inside the distance, Pinedo has remained a feared fixture of the PFL’s featherweight class. Seeking to claim his second company championship after winning the 2023 145-lb tournament, “El Mudo” is gearing up for an active 2025 after missing out on the 2024 season entirely, beginning with PFL Nashville.
Losing a razor-thin split decision bout to Timur Khizriev in late 2024, Braga has since rebounded with two back-to-back victories. Faced with a strong contender in the semi-finals of the featherweight competition, the Brazilian will need to bring all his skills to bear if he wants to advance to the championship finals.
More Bouts On the Late Card
Also on the late card of PFL Nashville, one-time interim Bellator king Logan Storley squares off with Masayuki Kikuiri. Also, Dagestan phenom Movlid Khaybulaev puts his 24-bout unbeaten streak on the line opposite Kim Tae-Kyun.
PFL Nashville Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our PFL Nashville picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC 316:
- Hank Strandberg: 35-90
- Frazer Krohn: 23-71
- Drew Zuhosky: 23-102
- Jeremy Brand: 21-93
- Andrew Benjamin: 14-68
*Note – not all staff pick for every event
Movlid Khaybulaev -202
Vs.
Tae Kyun Kim +172
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Khaybulaev by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Khaibulaev by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Khaibulaev by first round Submission
Andrew Benjamin: Khaibulaev by second round Submission
Frazer Krohn: Khaibulaev by second round Submission
Staff picking Khaibulaev: 5
Staff picking Kim: 0
Logan Storley -900
Vs.
Masayuki Kikuiri +600
WELTERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Storley by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Storley by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Storley by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Storley by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Kikuiri by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Storely: 4
Staff picking Kikuiri: 1
Jesus Pinedo -260
Vs.
Gabriel Braga +220
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Pinedo by second round Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Pinedo by first round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Braga by first round Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Braga by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Pinedo by second round Knockout
Staff picking Pinedo: 3
Staff picking Braga: 2
Jason Jackson -150
Vs.
Thad Jean +130
WELTERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Jackson by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Jackson by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Jackson by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Jackson by second round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Jackson by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Jackson: 5
Staff picking Jean: 0
