Sometimes we make mistakes, and this was a big one. I was unable to correctly read a calendar and assumed this card took place after my exams. But it is actually taking place in the middle of them. So BetSam is going to be recording the PFL prediction video for the We Want Picks channel this week. His picks could be slightly different to mine, but these are my predictions and confidence for the upcoming card that takes place this Thursday at 08:30 PM ET on ESPN.

JASON JACKSON (19-5) vs. THAD JEAN (9-0) – Welterweight

Thad Jean is a very exciting striker to watch but Jackson has proven that he is willing to get the fight to the ground recently.

Pick: Jason Jackson by submission or decision. Low-medium confidence.

JESUS PINEDO (24-6-1) vs. GABRIEL  BRAGA (16-2) 3 – Featherweight

Not confident in this one at all. This is a trilogy and both guys are 1-1, even though I think Pinedo should have won that split decision in 2023. I have picked Pinedo both times and am going to again. Pinedo shook off some ring rust in his last fight against Borics and showed he still has power and solid striking. I think there is a very good argument for Braga here though as it seems like he has been making huge improvements recently, especially in the grappling.

Pick: Jesus Pinedo by KO/TKO. Very low confidence.

LOGAN STORELY (17-3) vs. MASAYUKI KIKUIRI (11-2-1) – Welterweight

Storely isn't a perfect fighter but I don't think Kikuiri has shown that he can defend take downs against a wrestler as good as Storely.

Pick: Logan Storely by decision. Medium-high confidence.

MOVLID KHAYBULAEV (22-0-1) vs. TAE KYUN KIM (11-1) – Featherweight

I will admit I am tempted to pick Kim. Khaybulaev looked terrible in his last fight. Kim has fought and beaten a lot of guys like Khaybulaev at BRAVE. So I think there's a chance he could defend the take downs and be the better striker. Khaybulaev is undefeated for a reason so hopefully he can fix those cardio issues in time.

Pick: Movlid Khaybulaev by decision. Low confidence.

JEREMY KENNEDY (19-6) vs. ADAM BORICS (19-3) – Featherweight

Kennedy is a tough veteran and at this point he is coming off a losing streak + some injuries too which is a bit worrying. However he just gave Khaybulaev a very tough test where he was able to defend take downs and land some big shots. Borics is a high volume boxer so he probably doesn't need to worry about that too much here. Ever since the loss to Pitbull I have been a bit skeptical of Borics and his PFL run hasn't been great. I think Kennedy can make this one happen as the underdog by mixing some wrestling in with the striking.

Pick: Jeremy Kennedy by decision. Low confidence.

JOSEPH LUCIANO (10-3) vs. SAREK SHIELDS (6-2) – Weltwerweight

Grappler vs. Grappler match up and honestly I just think Luciano is the better grappler.

Pick: Joseph Luciano by decision. Medium confidence.

MUKHAMED BERKHAMOV (17-3) vs. KENDLY ST. LOUIS (10-4) – Welterweight

Only concerned about Berkhamov coming off a KO loss only a couple months ago.

Pick: Mukhamed Burkhamov by KO/TKO. Medium confidence.

MAGOMED UMALATOV (17-1) vs. ANTHONY IVY (15-7) – Welterweight

Ivy can be a tricky grappler (close fight with Bassil Hafez) but Umalatov is a good wrestler and has decent enough hands to get a KO.

Pick: Magomed Umalatov by KO/TKO. High confidence.