PFL World Tournament 8 – Jordan Newman vs Eslam Abdul Baset

Jordan Newman and Eslam Abdul Baset faced off in a middleweight bout at PFL World Tournament 8 on August 1, 2025, inside Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. Newman came in undefeated and known for his relentless wrestling pressure, while Baset, a seasoned veteran with over 30 professional fights, was expected to test Newman’s grappling with his striking. The matchup promised a classic clash of wrestling versus striking styles.

From the opening moments, Baset tried to find his range with precise striking, but Newman wasted no time closing the distance and forcing a clinch against the cage. Using his grappling pedigree, Newman secured a takedown and controlled the pace from the top position. Despite Baset’s experience and attempts to defend, he struggled to escape or mount effective offense under Newman’s relentless pressure.

Throughout the first round, Newman kept up his top control and landed solid ground-and-pound strikes, wearing Baset down steadily. The Egyptian fighter showed heart but was visibly overwhelmed by the wrestling dominance. Near the end of the round, Baset’s corner decided to stop the fight due to an eye injury sustained during the exchanges, leading to the referee halting the bout at the 5-minute mark.

The official result was a technical knockout victory via corner stoppage in favor of Jordan Newman, who maintained his undefeated record and continued to build momentum in the middleweight division. Baset, though defeated, showed resilience and remains a respected competitor with a wealth of experience. The fight highlighted Newman’s wrestling prowess and ability to impose his will early in high-stakes competition.