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 Welterweight Semifinal
Logan Storley (17-3) vs. Masayuki Kikuiri (11-2-1)
Odds: Storley (-725); Kikuiri (+450)

Storley has the opportunity to be the first welterweight to punch his ticket into the championship finale only a year after he was stopped in his PFL debut. Storley has shown why he was such a highly-touted pickup from Bellator over his last two wins, especially in his dominant decision win over Joseph Luciano. Storley controlled the pace from the opening bell and didn’t let Luciano breathe on the mat. Steady but consistent ground-and-pound will often force most fighters into survival mode, and even though Storley didn’t secure the finish, the beatdown was impressive in itself.

Kikuiri is a young and dangerous fighter from Japan who has made the most of his short time in the PFL. In the opening round, Kikuiri displayed excellent balance and takedown defense in his match against fellow debutant Giannis Bachar. Throughout the first two rounds, Kikuiri showed that he’s capable wherever the fight may take him and was likely on his way to a clear decision win before Bachar bowed out with a knee injury.

While Kikuiri could be an interesting challenge in front of Storley, it’s hard to imagine that he’ll be able to compete with him on the ground. Storley is a former four-time NCAA DI All-American wrestler, and it shows when he’s able to get his opponents on the mat. Look for him to clinch the title shot on Friday with a gritty, dominant showing.

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