PFL 2025 World Tournament One to Watch: Jake Hadley

The Professional Fighters League will roll on with its ballyhooed grand prix this Friday at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, where bantamweights and women’s flyweights take center stage at PFL 2025 World Tournament First Round 2. It serves as the 135-pound division’s introduction to the PFL.

One name sticks out above the rest on the bantamweight list: Jake Hadley. He sough opportunity with the PFL following his release by the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Having replaced its regular-season points format in favor of a single-elimination tournament across eight weight classes, the PFL plans to divvy out $500,000 prizes to each winner. Hadley should be on a short list of potential favorites at bantamweight, given his high-level experience and strong resume. He opens his tournament run with a showdown against Matheus Mattos. Hadley, 28, boasts eight finishes among his 11 career victories, with five of them resulting in submission. A finisher in every sense of the word, “White Kong” looks to be one of the most seasoned competitors in the draw. From Cage Warriors Fighting Championship and Dana White’s Contender Series to Bellator MMA and the UFC, Hadley just finds ways to wind fights.

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the PFL World Tournament LIVE Friday, April 11 at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN2..

A look at the bantamweight bracket reveals that no fighter, outside of Leandro Higo, can match Hadley’s combination of mileage and accomplishment. He has been through the proverbial ringer and appears to be entering his prime in his first year with the PFL. Hadley could prove to be a shrewd signing for the company, given his name value and track record. Should he get past Mattos, a semifinal showdown with the aforementioned Higo may await him in the semifinals.

The other competitors in the 135-pound draw: Josh Rettinghouse, Justin Wetzell, Kasum Kasumov, Franceso Nuzzi and Mando Gutierrez. All have earned their right to be there, but none of them figure to be as prepared as Hadley. He has already tested himself on the sport’s biggest stage—Hadley posted wins over Carlos Candelario, Malcolm Gordon and Caolan Loughran in the UFC—and now has the chance at a life-altering payday in the PFL. Hadley could also serve as another test case for similar fighters in search of greener pastures.

Tournament participants have their sights set on a championship, and with the potential for three fights during the competition, there are plenty of paychecks to be earned. Hadley understands the opportunity in front of him, possesses the talent needed to finish those he faces and wields the experience necessary to take him to the next level in the PFL.