In the PFL World Tournament semi-finals, Jason Jackson and Thad Jean ended their bitter rivalry after three intense rounds. Jackson and Jean’s back-and-forth became surprisingly personal in the lead-up, with the former Bellator champion ripping his unbeaten rival’s family among other incidents. Due to his experience and victories over Douglas Lima and Yaroslav Amosov, the Jamaican entered the ring as a heavy favorite. But in front of a rowdy Nashville crowd that included hundreds of travelling members of Jean’s ‘Silverback Nation’, he was prepared for a sterner test than expected. In the end, Jean did just enough to win a split decision that was so close. However, Jackson is able to stop the fight and save himself by landing a perfect takedown, just as Jean gets into a rhythm. The veteran game plan was near perfect, but it seemed that, for the most part, his younger rival had his number.
He stuffed a few takedowns and even pushed for one of his own as the second kicked off. But Jackson managed to impose himself and leave the fight anyone’s to play for as they headed into the third amid loud ‘Silverback’ chants.
Halfway through the third there was a temporary stop as an illegal low blow floored Jackson. Fortunately, they went on quickly, and momentum didn't shift much in either direction. With Jean unable to score that big shot to put an end to proceedings, they headed to the judges’ scorecards for a decision. Jean won on two cards, with one controversially going 30-27, and now moves on to face Logan Storley in the finals this August.
