Overview:
PFL welterweight champion Thad Jean obtained a hero’s welcome in Little Haiti throughout his victory tour. Surrounded by followers, household and Haitian tradition, Jean mirrored on his journey, the challenges he has confronted outdoors the cage and his hopes for Haiti’s future.
One week after his victory tour cease in South Florida, Thad Jean continues to be driving excessive.
The Haitian American group in Miami celebrated the Skilled Fighters League welterweight champion at Sounds of Little Haiti on Sept. 19, the place followers welcomed him with cheers, picture ops and flexed muscle mass.
The month-to-month cultural occasion, held each third Friday, featured reside music, Haitian consolation meals from distributors and a multigenerational crowd.
Jean mentioned he was touched by the group’s assist. He has made it his mission to uplift the Haitian group, utilizing his victories to signify Haiti whereas additionally battling inside struggles.
The fighter has confronted struggles outdoors the cage, together with his father’s failing well being, Haiti’s ongoing turmoil and the uncertainty of reserving his subsequent battle. However his household was by his aspect on the celebration, along with his mother and father and sister serving to place the championship belt on his shoulders.
“I would like folks to see the positivity that once we put Christ first, collectively we’re stronger,” Jean instructed The Haitian Instances on the Little Haiti Cultural Middle. “We are able to kind a constructive mild.”
Jean introduced collectively avid and informal Combined Martial Arts (MMA) followers like Mathéo (thematheo_), a rising Haitian artist, rapper, and dancer who was a featured visitor acting on stage at Sound of Little Haiti.
“Superb! He’s one of many first PFL Champions representing Haiti” Mathéo instructed The Haitian Instances
Alongside along with his trusted right-hand man Gianni (IG: @paiidgz), a aggressive dancer, certainly one of two backup dancers who carried out with Mathéo on stage.
“Whereas I take a look at MMA generally, Thad is an excellent fighter! I’m very proud! He’s affect!”
Jean mentioned he needs to increase that mild past religion, constructing monetary stability by buying a house and investing in shares.
On the identical time, he carefully follows the disaster in Haiti. “My mother and father needed to come right here to hunt asylum within the 90s,” Jean mentioned. “One constructive is that I used to be born in America, which put me within the place I’m now. We nonetheless have household in Haiti, nonetheless being affected by all the things happening there. However change will come.”
Jean’s father, sporting a broad smile and a thick mustache harking back to the Pringles brand, confirmed little signal of sickness as he moved across the venue.
“My dad had his kidney changed final yr, so he has one good functioning kidney,” mentioned Jean.“We’re blessed to be alive to have the ability to do issues like this. You understand, he raised us, him and my mom.”
Jean mentioned he was grateful his father was capable of attend the celebration. He added that his prolonged household in Haiti additionally helps his profession, selling his fights of their communities, regardless of combined martial arts remaining taboo within the nation.
“I actually do wish to go to Haiti, not now, however very quickly,” Jean mentioned. Turning to his mom, he requested which metropolis he ought to go to: Port-de-Paix, Port-au-Prince, or Jean-Rabel. She replied: “Port-de-Paix.”
“I’m excited! I wish to do all of it,take pleasure in all of it, I wish to expertise all of it!” Jean mentioned.
Trying forward, Jean mentioned he’s anticipating a rematch with Jason Jackson, whom he defeated on June 12 within the PFL welterweight semi-finals.
“I might love to essentially flip that win into an exclamation mark that I destroyed you and I can destroy you anytime,” Jean mentioned.
Jean mentioned he stays prepared for larger fights, whether or not a championship collection or a showdown with Cédric “Le Meilleur” Doumbé.
“I’m nonetheless younger, I nonetheless wish to go even increased,” Jean mentioned. “I’ve been saying it and saying it once more. I wish to take over that entire space, that entire spot.”
Jean shall be competing within the upcoming MMA Champions Sequence, particulars of that are but to be introduced. He mentioned he stays grateful for the chance to shine for his mother and father, group and Haitian heritage.