Preview: PFL 2025 World Tournament 5: Semifinals

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the Semifinals of the PFL World Tournament LIVE Thursday, June 12 at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+

PFL Featherweight Semifinal
Movlid Khaybulaev (22-0-1) vs. Tae Kyun Kim (11-1)
Odds: Khaybulaev (-210); Kim (+170)

After being inactive throughout 2024, Khaybulaev could be in store for the best year of his career if he’s able to win just two more fights. With a 22-0-1 record, I can’t blame anyone who would have the Dagestan native as their favorite to win the featherweight tournament. The 2021 PFL champion has waited a long time to return to the top of the heap, but injuries have kept him from cementing his place as the PFL's greatest featherweight. Blessed with a dominant ground game and a scary jumping knee, Khaybulaev is a nightmare matchup for anybody looking to go out and execute a game plan.

Kim was one of the standouts of the opening round after he upset Irish fan favorite Nathan Kelly in the quarterfinals. In only one round, Kyun Kim flashed his power when he cracked Kelly with a two-punch combo that sent him to the canvas. What stood out, however, was his ability to follow Kelly and transition through multiple submission attempts before putting him away with a rear-naked choke.

Kim knows he's not the betting favorite or the biggest name in this tournament, but it’s his willingness to step into the cage and compete that’s gotten him this far. Khaybulaev thrives on being in control and slowing the fight to his liking. Kim has his work cut out for him, but with Khaybulaev’s inactivity and age a potential factor, the former champ could be ripe for the picking.

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Jackson vs. Jean
Pinedo vs. Braga
Storley vs. Kikuiri
Khaybulaev vs. Kim
The Prelims