At 27 years old and now with an 11-0 record, the fighter called out Baïssangour Chamsoudinov (9-0) in the absence of the injured Cédric Doumbè for his next fight.

DAZN News: You're the PFL World Tournament champion. How are you handling this new status? 

Thad Jean: I'm ready. I've been born for this. I've been born for this. I've been born to be something great, and I'm embracing it and I love it. I'm ready for the next level and the next chapter of my life. I'm ready to get right into it.

DN: You also are Haitian. What does this victory mean for your country?

TJ: Haiti has another champion. It's history for the country. And I feel like if we had better situations with a better government and better police force and everything, I'd be in Haiti right now celebrating with my people, with the country. So I'm excited to be able to shine a light on Haiti in a positive way. So yeah, this is not just a win for me, this is a win for the entire country and the people.

DN: How was the tournament? What did you think of your opponents?

TJ: I think all of them, they were great. They weren’t padded records. They weren’t just like, “Oh, he's easy. They’re easy fights.” None of them were easy fights. And I was able to come out on top against all three. And you got to remember, I went into this tournament at 9-0, only nine fights. And now I’m 11-0, and I went against people who have double the amount of fights I have, double the amount of experience I have, with titles, with championship titles. You don't see that. It’s unheard of. You don’t see people getting titles at my level and my level of experience this early on in their career in the professional mixed martial arts world. I’m excited and I was happy to do it because I didn’t go against easy opponents. I went against hard opponents, tough opponents, and I came out on top against all three.

DN: Have you spoken to the PFL about a belt?

TJ: No, I haven't actually spoken to them about it, but I know this is my belt. This is my year. This is my belt. Next year will be a different belt. So yeah, this is mine. The 2025 Welterweight World Championship Tournament - that was my belt. This is my year. This is all mine. And next year will have a different belt. But if next year I'm there too, then I'll take that one.

DN: There is Shamil Musaev, undefeated, who won the tournament last year. There is Kuramagomedov, former Bellator champion. What is next? Do you want to fight one of them?

TJ: If want to fight one of them? Personally, if I can choose, I want to fight Cédric Doumbé. If I can choose who I want to fight next, I definitely want to fight Doumbé next. But if I have to fight someone here, then I'll definitely say Umalatov or Shamil.

DN: Why do you want Cédric Doumbé?

TJ: Because Cédric Doumbé is a big guy in Paris, and I want to fight the best people. I want to fight the best people.

DN: He has injured his wrist and will need surgery before he can return.

TJ: I didn’t know this. So if I can't fight him, I’d fight Umalatov or Shamil Musaev. Either of the two. Whoever the PFL tells me to fight. No, I don't want to wait. I don't want to wait. I want to fight now. 

DN: There is a PFL in Lyon in December. There is no guy for the main event right now. Are you, for example, interested in a fight against Baki?

TJ: Yeah, for sure. If Baki is the next one, then Baki is the one I got to go. I want to fight Baki. I want to fight the best person. I truly do. I'm ready to go against whoever. So if in December, they call me and they say, “Let’s go against Baki,” then I'm over there in Paris and I’m fighting Baki.

DN: Baki is a tough opponent. He trains alongside Nassourdine Imavov and has already trained with Khamzat Chimaev. What makes you think that you can beat the best? Why are you so confident?

TJ: Because I am the best. Because I am the best, and I need to establish that by beating the best. You got to understand, I have no easy fights. No easy fights. Only 11. How many fights does Baki have?

DN: Nine, undefeated like you 

TJ: That's perfect. We’re in the same skill, same experience level. Why not have it? I'm 11 now. I was nine in the beginning of the year. Why not have us two fight each other? Same experience level. For MMA fighters, you can’t say that I'm 20 fights in - “Oh, it's not fair for Baki.” No, it’s fair. I'm only 11 fights in. It’s fair for Baki. It’s fair for me. Let’s do it. Baki is the best over there. You say he beat Doumbé, then why not? You say he's training with the best people. I say I'm the best. You say he's the best. Let's see who’s truly the best.

DN: When do you plan to return?

TJ: Later. It has to be later in the year. I don't want to fight anytime right now. I just had three fights in five months, so it has to be later. So December - perfect, or early next year.