Thad Jean scores decision win in wild, unique brawl

Thad Jean had a solid 5-2 record on the amateur circuit, including a win over 2022 PFL welterweight runner-up Dilano Taylor. Since turning pro in 2021, Jean has won all seven fights he’s had thus far, including a decision win over Eric Alequin in the 2023 Challenger Series that earned him a PFL contract. He’s since impressed in a pair of showcase fights, earning first-round finishes of Ali Omar and Romain Debienne.

Chris Brown is also an alumnus of the PFL Challenger Series, losing to Carlos Leal in a close split decision in 2022. Brown, a striking specialist, is now 10-4, with six wins coming before the final bell. A former welterweight champion in a noteworthy regional promotion, Brown has not fought since December 2022, where he scored a first-round knockout of Alfonso Leyva.

Will Jean score another win? Or will Brown shock the Florida crowd into silence?

Round 1

Brown with a big left hand that starts a combination. Brown misses a high kick as the two exchange. Brown with a body kick. Brown with a right hand and a combination. Body kick from Jean. Brown throws a kick, but Jean’s block knocks him off balance momentarily. Jean lands a right, and Brown answers with a short combination in close. Combination ending with a high kick from Brown. Right hand from Brown, who catches a Jean kick. Another combination with pressure from Brown. Round kick from Jean is blocked. Crescent kick from Brown. Side kick from Brown, plus a backfist, in an exchange.

Right hand by Jean. Brown misses a combination. Jean lands a right hand. Brown throws a spinning back kick but doesn’t get all of it. Both men trading on the inside. Brown throws another crescent kick. Combination by Brown. Left kick and a right hand from Jean. Brown with a leg kick. Left hook and a combination from Jean. Body kick by Jean. Brown lands a body kick in return. One-two from Brown. Big right hand by Jean stuns Brown! Jean misses a flying knee, but he takes Brown down. Jean gets into side control. Brown works his way back to his feet. Brown lands a strong right hand. Jean lands a sharp jab. Jean lands another right hand. Another right hand from Jean. Low kicks from Brown. One-two from Jean before the bell.

Best shot of the first round! Jean wobbles Brown!

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Round 2

Left hand from Jean starting off the second round, with both men firing away! Brown comes forward with a low kick. One-two from Brown. Front kick to the face just missed by Jean. Brown narrowly misses a high kick. Jean catches Brown with a left hand. Front kick by Jean and he avoids an overhand. A couple of right hands from Jean. Body kick by Brown. One-two by Jean. Both men land right hooks. Small flurry from Brown. Jean with a one-two while Brown lands a low kick. Left hand lands for Jean. Backfist for Brown. Brown misses a spinning 360 kick.

Chris Brown's style is fun to watch!

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Jean lands a couple of left hands. Low kick by Brown. One-two by Jean doesn’t land. Low blow causes a small pause. On the resuming of the fight, Brown fires off three kicks. Brown with a spinning backfist. A right hand from Brown gets Jean off balance. Brown attacks the calf. Both men land right hands. A right hand from Jean gets Brown off balance now. Low kick from Brown. Jean blocks a head kick and pressures Brown. Jean stumbles Brown. Jean lands a right hand. Low kick from Jean. Brown fires off an awkward pair of low kicks and a jab. Both men swing in the closing seconds.

Round 3

Front kick to the face by Brown. Brown bringing out more awkward off-balance kicking. Jean trying to connect upstairs. Brown brings out a couple of more awkward spinning kicks. Jean with a check hook. Low kick from Brown. Jean gets Brown to the fence and lands a flying knee. Brown continues to come forward, but Jean lands another right hand. Jean presses Brown to the fence. Brown steps out of it. Jean with a left hand. Brown catches a kick and lands a left hand that briefly drops Jean.

Thad Jean lands clean with the jump knee! Brown stays up!

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Right hand lands for Jean. One-two from Jean. Jean gets a hold of Brown’s back. Brown with a couple of check hooks. Jean grabs at Brown’s legs and pushes him to the fence. Brown a knee, but Jean gets behind him. Brown works his way off the fence. Jean looks for another takedown, but Brown fights it off. Brown lands a sneaky left hand. Jean lands a right hand. Brown catches a body kick but misses a counter. Brown presses forward and lands a right hand. High kick by Jean. Brown with a right hand that stumbles Jean back. Brown with a couple of more spinning attacks before the bell.

👇👇👇 these two close out the 3rd round swinging!

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— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 16, 2024

OFFICIAL RESULT

Thad Jean defeats Chris Brown by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28x2) in a welterweight showcase bout

• Jean remains undefeated at 8-0
• Jean was a 2023 PFL Challenger Series Contract Winner
• Jean goes by the nickname “Silverback”. He trains at Fightsports Deerfield Beach and represents Haiti