PFL 2025 World Tournament Dark Horse: Tae Kyun Kim

As one side of the PFL 2025 featherweight tournament is getting all the attention with Jesus Pinedo and Gabriel Braga, the other semifinal matchup features one of the biggest dark horses remaining in the tournament. Tae Kyun Kim entered the Professional Fighters League this year, picking up a big victory over Ireland’s Nathan Kelly in the quarterfinals in his promotional debut.

In his career, Kim has a 11-1 record and is now on the biggest stage of his career at 31 years old. The PFL’s world tournament first round matchups saw 21 finishes in 32 fights, and Kim had one of the most impressive, defeating one of Ireland’s biggest rising stars in Kelly. Making a statement with the PFL in his first fight has proven that the new tournament format is working for both the fighters and the promotion, as a rising talent in Kim was able to capture the biggest opportunity of his career and make the most of it.

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+

Kim has traveled the world and fought for other promotions not at the prominence level of PFL, but his talent has always shined through. He’ll have an extremely tough test ahead of him in the Semifinals, taking on former PFL Champion Movlid Khaybulaev but that’s what is left on the board in this division’s tournament, championship level fighters.

Khaybulaev, along with the aforementioned Pinedo and Braga are all three former champions or title challengers, and Kim is the other cemented fighter remaining in the tournament. Picking up 4 submission victories and 3 three KO/TKO finishes in 7 of his 11 career victories, Kim can win the fight wherever it may go, which will serve him well taking on a former champion in Khaybulaev who is 22-0-1 in his career.

There has been no greater test for Kim in his young career than this matchup against Khaybulaev, but that’s the beauty of him coming in as a dark horse. He’s overlooked by the masses, his talent has already been proven, and he earned his place in the Semifinals world tournament.

One of the top talents coming out of South Korea, Kim also opens up a new avenue for fans from his home country to the PFL. He may not be the betting favorite, he may not be the most discussed fighter remaining, and his resume may not match the others, but Kim is a remarkable talent who has no pressure on him and can be a surprising upset winner in the semifinals.