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Thad Jean unthreatened by Logan Storley's wrestling: 'He's not a danger'

Thad Jean unthreatened by Logan Storley's wrestling: 'He's not a danger'

USA Today2 days ago
Thad Jean likes his chances for Friday's PFL welterweight final
Some say Thad Jean faces the toughest test in the biggest fight of his career this Friday, but he's not sold on that idea.
Jean (10-0), a rising star, returns in the main event of 2025 PFL World Tournament 8: Finals against former Bellator interim champion and long-time contender Logan Storley (18-3). The event takes place at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.. The two fighters compete for the 2025 PFL welterweight tournament title and a $500,000 prize.
"The Silverback" thinks he already had his toughest fight in the tournament, when he fought former Bellator champion Jason Jackson in June. Jean sees Storley as one-dimensional, thus an easier opponent.
"Going into this fight against Logan Storley, I know exactly what to expect," Jean told MMA Junkie. "I know exactly what he wants to do. The thing about it is that watching his last fight against Kikuiri, he's not as cardio dominant as he thinks he is. You could see it in the second round after what he did in the first round. He was gassed out and he couldn't do it.
"First of all, you have to first take me down and keep me on the ground, and that's going to be a challenge in itself, and because I know what he's going to do. I'm going to be able to stand my ground and I know exactly where I need to be, and I know exactly what I need to do. I'm a good wrestler, like I'm telling you. I started off with wrestling and jiu-jitsu, and then I fell in love with knocking people out. It's quick and it's easy. I rather strike, but if I have to grapple, I have to do what I have to do. I will say Logan Storley is definitely the easier opponent (than Jackson) because it's the one dimension that I will have to deal with. I'm not worried about the striking. I'm not worried about the kicking. I'm not worried about the mixing it up. No, it's only going to be throw a punch and let's try to take you down or let's just try to take you down. It's going to be desperate shots or just shots from where I can capitalize and see everything."
Storley is a four-time NCAA All-American wrestler and used those skills to beat notable opposition such as Michael Page, Joaquin Buckley, Neiman Gracie and others. Jean thinks that even if Storley can get him to the ground, he won't be in any danger. He doesn't think Storley has what it takes to control him for 25 minutes.
"I'm going to keep my range, keep my distance, and if I go into the grappling, it's just to tire you out because I know how to stay up and how to get back up." Jean explained. "I'm not in danger and if Logan were to take me down, he's not a danger from the top. He's not a crazy threat if he takes you down."
Jean expects to make a big statement and win the 2025 PFL welterweight title. He doesn't see the fight going into the fourth or firth rounds.
"The first two rounds, we're not going to the championship rounds," Jean said. "If we do, then we have to, but I'm going to day first round I take Logan Storley out."
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