Updated July 23, 2026, 7:37 p.m. ET
(Editor’s note: This story was updated to add PFL’s official reasoning for Musaev’s withdrawal.)
PFL’s welterweight title fight in Washington DC will look a tad different than it was supposed to entering fight week.
Shamil Musaev has withdrawn from his bout vs. Thad Jean that was expected to top Saturday’s card at CareFirst Arena. In his place, it’s expected that rising welterweight Ernesto Rodriguez will step in with the chance to grab title gold.
Three people with knowledge of the situation recently informed MMA Junkie of the changes but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Musaev (20-1-1) partook in the promotional fight week faceoffs in Washington. However, he encountered weight cut complications one day prior to weigh-ins according to the organization.
Rodriguez (11-1) was expected to compete against Aaron McKenzie (12-2-1) in a preliminary card bout. Representing Cuba, Rodriguez rides a nine-fight winning streak into the matchup that includes wins in Tuff-N-Uff, LFA, Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat, and PFL. He made his promotional debut in March when he defeated Masayuki Kikuiri by majority decision.
Jean (11-0) is one of PFL’s fastest-rising stars. The 2025 PFL World Tournament winner, Jean beat a trifecta of veterans in Mukhamed Berkhamov, Jason Jackson, and Logan Storley en route to clinching the bracket.
The updated PFL Washington fight card includes:Thad Jean vs. Ernesto Rodriguez – for vacant welterweight titleTyson Pedro vs. Rafael XavierSullivan Cauley vs. Rasul MagomedovEliezer Kubanza vs. Chris MixanMichael Cyr vs. Bryce MeredithBrandon Davis vs. Nkosi NdebeleCoby Bradford vs. Chad YardNoah Hermosillo vs. Jacob Pais
