Movlid Khaybulaev is one of five members of the legendary Team Nurmagomedov to have won world championship gold on MMA’s largest stages. The Russian wrestling and Combat Sambo champion has already shown what he can do in PFL, from his undefeated record, to his famous 10-second KO of Damon Jackson, to his 2021 PFL Featherweight Championship. After defeating Jeremy Kennedy in April, Khaybulaev can find himself on the doorstep of another PFL World Title if he comes out on top tonight.

 

He’ll have to get past Taekyun Kim, however, a black belt in judo and jiu-jitsu who prides himself on his mental toughness. Kim has scored eight finishes, including five coming in the first round. Kim made his PFL debut in April, submitting Nathan Kelly.

 

Who will be the first man to earn a spot in the 2025 PFL Featherweight World Tournament Final?

 

 

Round 1

 

A round kick from Kim is blocked. Left hand from Khaybulaev. Low kick from Kim. Khaybulaev catches a kick and lands a right hand. He then goes in and scores a takedown. Kim puts up his guard. Kim lands a couple of solid elbows from the bottom to the head of Khaybulaev. Right hand from Khaybulaev. Left hand from Khaybulaev. Kim works his way back to his feet, only for Khaybulaev to get to his back quickly and return him to the mat.

 

Kim gets to his feet, but Khaybulaev gets on his back right away. Khaybulaev places his feet back down and lands a knee to the legs. Khaybulaev drags Kim back down, but Kim is back to his feet right away. Another brief mat return by Khaybulaev. Khaybulaev continues to land knees to the legs. Another brief takedown. Elbows to the arm by Kim. Another very brief mat return by Khaybulaev. More attacks to the legs by Khaybulaev. Kim attacks the forearms again. Khaybulaev continues on with the knees to the legs. Khaybulaev trying to kick out Kim’s legs.

 

 

Round 2

 

Khaybulaev rushes forward. Kim looks to use Khaybulaev’s momentum to try and scramble to end up on top – only for Khaybulaev to put his hips over and end back up on top. After about a minute, Kim is able to scramble out and get Khaybulaev off of him. Khaybulaev lands a strong straight hand. There’s another, and Khaybulaev follows it up with a slam. Khaybulaev tries to work his way around the legs of Kim. Khaybulaev working with shoulder pressure.

 

Kim tries to sit up and use the fence to get away, only for Khaybulaev to keep a lock on him. Kim gets back to his feet, but Khaybulaev brings him back down. Kim works his way back up, but Khaybulaev lands a right hand and Kim is retreating. Kim slips, and Khaybulaev takes a hold of him again on the ground. Right hand by Khaybulaev. Knee to the legs by Khaybulaev. Another from Khaybulaev. Khaybulaev continues this attack. Kim turns with a body lock before scoring his own takedown on Khaybulaev! Khaybulaev forces his way back up. One-two from Kim. Kim comes forward and Khaybulaev makes him eat a right hand.

 

 

 

Round 3

 

Kim with a high kick. Kim misses a left hand. Left hand from Khaybulaev. Kim tries for a jumping knee, but Khaybulaev lands a right hand. Khaybulaev with a left hand. Khaybulaev level changes and scores another takedown. Kim looks for a butterfly hook, but Khaybulaev applies some big pressure. Khaybulaev gets to the back. Kim gets to his feet. Khaybulaev attacks the legs of Kim. Kim turns and faces Khaybulaev, breaking the grip – but Khaybulaev trips and brings Kim back to the ground.

 

Khaybulaev continues to pressure from the top, keeping a strong hold on Kim. Kim gets back to his feet – only for Khaybulaev to bring him back down. Khaybulaev now in side control as he looks for an arm triangle. Kim seems to be defending it well before it becomes threatening, however. Kim looks to scramble, but Khaybulaev gets to his back. He scrambles, but Khaybulaev remains on top of him. Khaybulaev has a strong grip on his back. Kim gets back to his feet, but it’s back to Khaybulaev landing knees to the legs before he takes Kim back down once more. Kim gets back to his feet. Kim fires off a couple of spinning attacks out of desperation, but Khaybulaev takes him down one last time and ends this one on top, locking up his spot in the finals.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Movlid Khaybulaev def. Taekyun Kim via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)