2025 PFL World Tournament 8 results: Movlid Khaybulaev dominates Jesus Pinedo, wins tournament
Over the course of four – almost five – full rounds, Khaybulaev (24-0-1) dominated Jesus Pinedo (25-7-1). At 1:17 of Round 5, Khaybulaev locked in an arm-triangle submission and took the judges out of the equation.
The fight served as the 2025 PFL World Tournament 8 co-main event at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J..
Khaybulaev looked strong from the opening round, but nearly finished Pinedo with a vicious onslaught of attack in Round 2. Somehow, someway, Pinedo did just enough to survive and keep referee Vitor Ribeiro at bay.
Pinedo was bloody and swollen as he went back to the stool, but Khaybulaev looked a bit gassed. In the opening seconds of Round 3, Pinedo dropped Khaybulaev with a punch but was promptly taken down thereafter.
Khaybulaev's wrestling became his most-effective weapon from that point in the fight. He relentlessly smothered Pinedo as he sought submissions. Eventually, he found one – and a $500,000 tournament winner check with it.
Khaybulaev, 34, adds the 2025 tournament win to a trophy case that already includes a 2021 PFL championship. Khabib Nurmagomedov was on hand in the corner, as he coached his longtime teammate.
Pinedo, 29, loses for the first time since April 2023 and only the second time since March 2019. The Peruvian fighter was on a five-fight winning streak when he entered Saturday's fight.
Up-to-the-minute 2025 PFL 8 results include:
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