Thad Jean has set his sights on one of the most dangerous strikers in MMA after capturing the 2025 PFL welterweight title.
Jean (11-0) is looking to throw down with former two-time Glory Kickboxing champion Cedric Doumbe. The interest comes on the heels of Jean’s big win over Logan Storley to win the 2025 PFL welterweight tournament earlier this month in Atlantic City. Jean knows there are many top names wanting to take his unbeaten record, but out of all the contenders, Doumbe excites Jean the most.
“I would love that Cedric Doumbe fight,” Jean told MMA Junkie. “Personally, if it was up to me, I would definitely go that Cedric Doumbe route first. I’ve been looking at him for a while now actually.”
Doumbe has also shown interest in the fight with some recent comments on social media. Jean wouldn’t mind visiting France to fight in enemy territory. His only request is the timeline.
“If they’re talking about December, then yeah, I’ll do it,” Jean explained. “If they’re talking about anything closer, I’m not going to do it. I’m just going to take a little break. I’m not trying to damage my kidneys with the weight cut because two weight cuts within five months, it’s a bit much for the kidneys. If it’s in December, I’m taking it, let’s go. If we’re going to Paris, let’s go to Paris. If they’re coming over here (South Florida), let’s do it.”
Jean burst onto the MMA scene earlier this year. He was a relatively unknown prospect at the start of 2025, but a knockout win over Mukhamed Berkhamov, a decision win over former Bellator champion Jason Jackson, and the title-winning performance over Storley put Jean on the map as one of the more exciting fighters in the PFL today.
Although it might seem that a lot has changed, it’s business as usual for Jean.
“Not for me personally, but I feel like it did for those around me and those who are skeptical on the outside looking it,” Jean said. “I mean, it did help my confidence when it comes to going against just a wrestler itself. Logan Storley is a really good pressure wrestler, and for me to go out and be able to be as calm as I was, and fight the fight that I did for all five rounds definitely played me personally with going back into the training room, ‘Ok, this is how I have to improve. This is what I can do.’ So, yeah, it definitely set me up for the future skill wise, but for people on the outside looking in I feel like they’re noticing, ‘Oh, yeah. He’s just starting out in his career, and he’s now 11-0, he’s beaten two world champions, and the sky is the limit. Where is this kid going to go? He can go wherever he wants to.’
“That’s exactly what it is: I can go wherever I want to, and I’m just going to keep going up.”
