The Caribbean will be represented in the final of the Professional Fighters League (PFL) World Welterweight Tournament as Haiti’s Thad Jean secured a split decision win over Jamaica’s Jason Jackson in their semi-final bout in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday.

The Jamaican entered the cage a heavy favorite given his experience and wins over the likes of Douglas Lima and Yaroslav Amosov but the Nashville crowd was firmly behind the “Silverback.”

Ultimately, the Haitian did just enough to win a razor-close split decision.

They wasted no time getting the crowd on their feet after the fight got underway as Jean dropped Jackson before allowing him up and pushing for the finish within the opening minute.

However, Jackson saved himself with a perfectly timed takedown just as Jean was beginning to find a rhythm, and managed to slow the fight down. The veteran game plan was near perfect, but it seemed that for the most part his younger rival had his number.

He stuffed a few takedowns and even pushed for one of his own as the second kicked off. But Jackson managed to impose himself and leave the fight anyone’s to play for as they headed into the third amid loud ‘Silverback’ chants.

Halfway through the third there was a temporary stop as Jackson was floored by an illegal low blow. Luckily, they continued quickly with momentum never swinging too far in either direction.

With Jean unable to score that big shot to put an end to proceedings, they headed to the judges’ scorecards for a decision. Jean won on two cards, with one controversially going 30-27, and now moves on to face Logan Storley in the finals this August.

Jean’s record now stands at 10-0 while Jackson is now 19-6.

Photos courtesy of MMA Junkie.