PFL 2025 World Tournament Dark Horse: Masayuki Kikuiri

Masayuki Kikuiri has quietly entered the PFL World Tournament and continued to do that he does: win. Currently riding a four-fight winning streak, Kikuiri is the pure definition of a dark horse in the welterweight bracket, as his opponent in the semifinals, Logan Storley, is a former Bellator MMA champion, and the other two competitors, Jason Jackson and Thad Jean, have been all over the promotional tour for this event.

Kikuiri opened his PFL World Tournament this year with a dominating performance over Giannis Bachar, who did not answer the bell going into the third round. Having total control and dominance over an opponent was a message sent to the rest of the tournament field, and it made for four finishes during his current five-fight winning streak.

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+

Kikuiri has accomplished more than half of his career wins by stoppage, so the danger in the striking is obvious. The former interim King of Pancrase has the talent to put away any opponent with a single strike. If he can do so to Storley, he would set the tournament ablaze with the upset.

Before anything else, Kikuiri must get through the challenge of Storley, but he has said coming into the matchup that he plans to deliver a knockout, and that’s the biggest way he can cement himself not just as a potential challenger, but as a force to be reckoned with in the PFL. Kikuiri can change the trajectory of his entire career with a victory in the semifinals. The other side of the welterweight semifinals between Jackson and Jean has stolen the show, but with one moment, Kikuiri can steal the spotlight in Nashville. It would be hard to count against him with a victory over Storley, and without knowing he could be facing in the championship, he’ll show his striking could take out anyone.

Getting a fighter like Kikuiri to the tournament championship is the opportunity that the PFL has created with its new world tournament format. A lesser known but respected talent who has earned the chance at a spot in the tournament championship, Kikuiri has just one more victory to go and not only would he shock the masses, but show the world that any fighter in the tournament can become champion.