In one of the biggest upsets of the PFL’s 2019 playoffs, Daniel Pineda took home two wins, with two finishes, at PFL 8 2019, advancing to the finale.
The second featherweight semifinal at Thursday’s PFL 8 2019 card in Las Vegas had Canada’s Jeremy Kennedy face off against Daniel Pineda. Both men had pulled off big finishes earlier in the evening, but Pineda’s 29-second stoppage of Movlid Khaibulaev gave him a little more time to rest.
Whether that became a factor moving forward remained to be seen.
As action opened up, Pineda looked the land a left hook early, but that was answered by Kennedy shooting for a takedown. While initially successful, Pineda was able to reverse and get on top. Kennedy then grabbed onto a leg, using it to work his way back up.
In a clinch along the fence, Pineda would utilize open-handed strikes to the ear. Kenedy, however, was imposing his will, and dropped Pineda on his back with another takedown. Pineda worked up, but risked giving up his back in the process. And shortly after, he was taken back down. Again, however, Pineda popped right back up. And moments later, he’d turn the tables and put an end to Kennedy’s night. Locking in a guillotine seemingly out of nowhere, Daniel Pineda forced a quick tap from Kennedy — and earned himself a spot in the PFL 2019 finals on New Year’s Eve, where he will fight for a million dollars.
Calling his shot at the million dollars a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Pineda said after the fight that “I’m happy and I’m ready to prove myself.” He’ll face Lance Palmer on New Year’s Eve. Palmer won the featherweight tournament last season.
Official Result: Daniel Pineda def. Jeremy Kennedy by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 4:00
