Jason Jackson made a name for himself on the regional scene early on in his MMA career before receiving the chance to compete on a big stage with Bellator. He went 8-2 in the promotion, including victories over Benson Henderson and Douglas Lima before defeating Yaroslav Amosov to win the Bellator Welterweight World Championship at Bellator 301. Jackson defeated Ray Cooper III at the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions card in February 2024 but was bested by Ramazan Kuramagomedov in a Bellator Champions Series title fight last June.

 

With his Pankration and Army Combat Fighting base, Andrey Koreshkov made a name for himself in Bellator, where he became one of the most prolific names in the history of its welterweight division. Koreshkov, a one-time former Bellator Welterweight World Champion and former two-time welterweight tournament winner, has defeated the likes of Douglas Lima, Benson Henderson and Lorenz Larkin, going 16-4 in Bellator while holding the records for most welterweight fights, wins and knockouts. Koreshkov competed in last year’s season, losing to Magomed Umalatov but defeating Goiti Yamauchi.

 

This highly-anticipated main event will see one more participant move on in the welterweight bracket of the PFL World Tournament! Who will it be?

 

 

Round 1

 

Jackson with a heavy leg kick. And another. One-two from Jackson. Another low kick from Jackson. Left hand from Koreshkov. Jackson pressing forward, landing uppercuts to the body, before pressing Koreshkov against the fence. Jackson lands an elbow on Koreshkov’s thigh. Koreshkov lands inside while dealing with Jackson’s pressure. Knee to the body by Jackson. The action moves along the fence, with Koreshkov trying to break off. Jackson with a level change. Koreshkov uses double underhooks to reverse the position and get Jackson against the SmartCage – only for Jackson to pummel back into the original position.

 

Jackson continues to press, looking for a takedown in spite of Koreshkov’s defenses. Knee by Koreshkov before using double underhooks to get Jackson against the fence again. The two separate with just over a minute left. Round kick by Jackson to the body. Jackson with another level change. Koreshkov gets Jackson to the fence and lands short-range strikes. Jackson reverses position. Left hand from Koreshkov. Koreshkov reverses the position, looking for a single-leg takedown. Jackson tries to throw a high kick but falls off balance. Yet, he still ends up on Koreshkov’s back before the bell.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Jackson with inside leg kicks to start. Koreshkov level changes, but Jackson with a body lock to stop it. Koreshkov continues to hold one of Jackson’s legs as Jackson lands hammerfists. Jackson with a heavy sprawl. The two get back to their feet, and Jackson greets Koreshkov there with a knee. Jackson maintains his hold and works over to Koreshkov’s back. Jackson kicks Koreshkov off balance. Koreshkov defends a potential choke exploration by holding onto Jackson’s wrist.

 

Jackson on top now and tries to step into full mount. Koreshkov gives up his back. Jackson lands an elbow to the side of the head. Jackson snakes an arm around the neck, but Koreshkov fights it off. Jackson lands a few right hands to the head. Jackson brings it back to the ground. Jackson looks for some ground-and-pound, but referee Keith Peterson calls time out! Jackson landed a shot to the back of Koreshkov’s head, and Koreshkov is bleeding.

 

When time resumes, Jackson quickly works his way back into full mount. Jackson lands brutal ground-and-pound before switching to the back and looking for a choke. Koreshkov is out cold!

 

Jason Jackson emphatically moves on to the next round!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Jason Jackson def. Andrey Koreshkov by Technical Submission [RNC] (Round 2: 4:21) in a welterweight first round fight.

 

Jackson improves his record to 19-5.

 

He moves to the semifinals where he will face Thad Jean.