There is no doubt that Gabriel Braga went through unspeakable tragedy this year, losing his father to a senseless killing in his native Brazil.
Despite that, the PFL featherweight semifinalist has tried to use the flood of emotion stemming from the loss, and turn it into something positive.
“I just try to channel everything I’ve been through into something good, into discipline and focus, and to keeping my eyes on the prize,” Braga (14-1) told Cageside Press in an exclusive interview ahead of this Friday’s PFL Washington.
On one side of the semifinal bracket, Braga faces Timur Khizriev, an undefeated Bellator import. On the opposite side is 2022 champ Brendan Loughnane, facing off with Hawaiian Kai Kamaka III.
“It’s a tough fight, but I do feel like Loughnane comes out with his hand raised,” Braga said in regards to the other featherweight semifinal at PFL Washington.
Some of the biggest featherweight names technically under contract with the PFL aren’t in the league itself, but over in Bellator. Those include Patricio Pitbull, A.J. McKee, and Aaron Pico. Names that, were they added to the PFL’s regular season, would make its 145lb division very, very competitive.
That’s exactly what Gabriel Braga would like to see moving forward.
“Absolutely. I feel like it would be in everyone’s best interest if we had all the top names, all the big dogs in the same bracket, same tournament. I feel like I’m at a great stage of my career, great phase, and I want to fight against the best, test myself against the best. And those guys are up there. So I’d love to have them out here in the season.”
In the meantime, there is Khizriev, an undefeated Russian with a 16-0 record.
“He’s another opponent. He’s another task I have in front of me,” Braga observed of his current foe. “Yes he is undefeated, but even the undefeated guys have kinks in their armor, they have flaws, and they make mistakes. That’s what I’m here to do, find what those are.”
Watch our full interview with PFL Washington’s Gabriel Braga above.
