Orlando, FL — 2023 PFL featherweight champion Jesus Pinedo earned himself a spot in the 2025 PFL World Tournament semifinals on Thursday, after putting away Bellator vet Adam Borics inside of a round.
It’s a good first step for a fighter eager to put some weight struggles and a year away behind him, with the goal of getting back to gold clearly on his mind.
“I have the championship mentality, obviously I won’t be the champion until I get it wrapped around my waist. But no matter what, I always have the championship mentality,” Pinedo (24-6-1) said following the TKO victory over Borics, speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press.
Asked about his opponent’s game plan and any surprises encountered in the fight, which lasted just shy of four minutes, Pinedo said there weren’t any. “No, nothing surprised us tonight. Everything that we expected in the game plan, he executed. And we came out and fought, and did our thing.”
Now, it’s on to a trilogy fight and rubber match with rival Gabriel Braga. They’re 1-1 thus far, with Pinedo getting his revenge in the 2023 PFL featherweight final. Despite that, the first fight still does not sit well with the Peruvian.
“The fight in Vegas, I still feel to this day we won that fight,” he stated. “Obviously I went out and won the second fight completely. This time I’m going to leave no doubt. I’m going to put a stamp on history in this one.”
When the pair were faced off in the cage following Pinedo’s victory, Braga seemed particularly animated. And while Jesus Pinedo does not speak Portuguese, he got the gist of it. “He just said that he was ready, and I’m going to be ready and I’m going to bring my best effort. When it comes time to, I’m going to win that fight.”
Watch the full 2025 PFL 1 post-fight press conference with Jesus Pinedo above.
