The card features featherweights and lightweights in action, with the main event becoming a little heated between Jason Jackson and Thad Jean. That, after Jackson accused Jean of disrespecting his accomplishments (not to mention calling him old).

In the co-main event, the long awaited third fight between Gabriel Braga and Jesus Pinedo arrives. While Braga won the first bout, Pinedo got his revenge by defeating his rival in the 2023 PFL featherweight final. That earned Pinedo a million dollars and a world championship, but he’s back for more in the World Tournament.

Weigh-ins for PFL Nashville take place on Wednesday; full results can be found below.

PFL Nashville: Jackson vs. Jean Weigh-In Results

Main card

Welterweight: Jason Jackson (171) vs. Thad Jean (170.4) – Tournament Semifinal
Featherweight: Jesus Pinedo (145.2) vs. Gabriel Braga (145) – Tournament Semifinal
Welterweight: Logan Storley (170.6) vs. Masayuki Kikuiri (170.4) – Tournament Semifinal
Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (145.4) vs. Kim Tae-kyun (145.6) – Tournament Semifinal

Preliminary card

Featherweight: Jeremy Kennedy (146) vs. Ádám Borics (145.8) – Tournament Semifinal
Welterweight: Magomed Umalatov (170.4) vs. Anthony Ivy (175.4)* – Tournament Semifinal
Welterweight: Joseph Luciano (170.4) vs. Sarek Shields (170)
Welterweight: Mukhamed Berkhamov (170.6) vs. Kendly St. Louis (170.2)
Featherweight: Alexei Pergande (145.4) vs. Mike Bardsley (145.2)
Bantamweight: Jason Danner (135.8) vs. Nathan Gilmore (135)

* Ivy weighed in 4.5lbs over the non-championship welterweight limit

The post PFL Nashville: Jackson vs. Jean Weigh-In Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Speaking with Cageside Press and other outlets in Nashville this week, Braga (16-2) was looking ahead to the rubber match of his trilogy with Jesus Pinedo. The pair have met twice previously under the PFL banner, with Braga winning their first encounter during the league’s 2023 regular season, and Pinedo getting his revenge in the final that year.

That loss saw Braga not just lose out on a title, but on a million dollars as well. The prize money has dropped now that the PFL has launched its World Tournament, a grand prix format that seems set to funnel challengers to the PFL Champions Series. Still, a tournament championship is on the line here. Obviously, Gabriel Braga wants to be a world champion, but the trilogy with Jesus Pinedo has become something bigger in the eyes of some fans, and perhaps the fighters themselves.

In other words, it’s personal. “All the fights are personal to me, but this fight is a little bit more than the other ones,” admitted Braga. “So I’m more focused, I’m more prepared to go in there and finish the fight.”

Braga has suggested in the past that his PFL rival talks too much much as well. “On the internet he says a lot, he said he won the two fights, and I don’t think so,” he said on Tuesday. “On Thursday I will show him it’s not true.”

As for winning the tournament, “it means a lot to me. Since I signed with PFL, that was my goal. I was there on the door and I lost, and this time I’m not going to lose.”

Watch the full PFL Nashville media day appearance by Gabriel Braga above.

The post PFL Nashville’s Gabriel Braga: This Fight’s Going to Be Different appeared first on Cageside Press.

Despite barely being into the second week of the season, the league has now announced the main card of PFL Nashville on June 12, which will play host to the featherweight and welterweight semifinals. In the main event, Jason Jackson (18-5) faces Thad Jean (9-0), the latter arguably being the breakout star of last week’s PFL 1.

Jean knocked out Mukhamed Berkhamov to maintain his perfect record, then made a move on PFL women’s flyweight star Dakota Ditcheva in his post-fight interview. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, or so they say.

2023 PFL Featherweight Champion Jesus Pinedo (24-6) faces Gabriel Braga (16-2) in the rubber match of their trilogy in the night’s co-main event. Those fights are joined by Logan Storley (17-3) vs. Masayuki Kikuiri (11-2-1) and Movlid Khaybulaev (22-0-1) vs. Taekyun Kim (11-1).

All four fights are semifinals in the PFL World Tournament in their respective weight classes. Since the PFL is using a grand prix style format with brackets this year, none of the match-ups come as a surprise.

On Thursday, the PFL also announced the full 2025 PFL MENA 1 card. Taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on May 9, that breaks down as follows:

Featherweight Quarter-Final bout:
Abdullah Al-Qahtani (10-2) vs. Islam Reda (12-1)

Lightweight Quarter-Final bout:
Mohsen Mohammadseifi (7-2) vs. Ahmed El Sisy (6-1, 1 NC)

Lightweight Quarter-Final bout:
Salah Eddine Hamli (8-0) vs. Abbas Khan (8-3)

Featherweight Quarter-Final bout:
Izzedine Al Derbani (15-5) vs. Yanis Ghemmouri (12-3)

Flyweight Showcase bout:
Malik Basahel (0-0) vs. Mountasser Boutouta (1-0)

Featherweight Quarter-Final bout:
Abdelrahman Alyhasat (5-0) vs. Taha Bendaoud (4-0)

Featherweight Quarter-Final bout:
Hussein Salem (12-5) vs. Assem Ghanem (6-0)

Lightweight Quarter-Final bout:
Georges Eid (10-5, 1 NC) vs. Mohammad Fahmi (4-0)

Lightweight Showcase bout:
Ahmed Makki (1-3-1) vs. Hasham Elnamer (3-0)

Lightweight Quarter-Final bout:
Abdullah Saleem (5-0, 1 NC) vs. Souhil Tairi (7-6-1)

Featherweight Showcase bout:
Youssef Alhosani (4-1) vs. Neder Jeffel (2-0)

Amateur Catchweight 166lbs Showcase bout:
Abdulaziz Bin Moammar (10-3 AM) vs. Fares Hamdani (2-0 AM)

The post Main Card for PFL Nashville, Full PFL MENA 1 Card Announced appeared first on Cageside Press.

Canada’s Dupras locked up a deep guillotine choke in the opening round, but appeared to have burned out his arms and emptied the gas tank before he could put Braga away. That allowed the Brazilian to turn the tide, taking over in the second half of the frame, taking the back, and forcing a tap to a rear-naked choke from a drained Dupras.

The win had fans at home in Brazil celebrating, something for which Braga (16-2) expressed gratitude following the bout. “I’m grateful for everybody cheering for me,” he told media outlets including Cageside Press, adding that he hoped to represent them well.

Now that the tournament format for the PFL is win and move on, Braga has stepped into the PFL World Tournament semifinals. Key to his success is his evolution, and not just in fighting, he noted. “I have a lot of evolution in my life, not just inside the cage but outside, and I came here to be the champ,” he stated.

Braga also gave his opinion on the other fight in his bracket, Jesus Pinedo vs. Adam Borics. Pinedo and Braga have become one of the biggest rivalries in the PFL at the moment, their career series tied 1-1.

“I think it’s going to be a tough fight, but I already said that I think I’m going to fight with Pinedo again,” predicted Braga. Turns out, Gabriel Braga might have a psychic streak. Or he’s just very good at scouting fights. Either way, Pinedo put away Borics early. That means it will be Braga vs. Pinedo 3 in the semifinals, adding even more weight to the fight.

Watch the full 2025 PFL 1 post-fight press conference with Gabriel Braga above.

The post PFL 1’s Gabriel Braga Has Evolved In and Out of the Cage appeared first on Cageside Press.

In a press release as well as an announcement on social media, league officials revealed the eight fighters (and two alternates) that would comprise the 145lb ranks. The PFL’s World Tournament, which takes over from its traditional season format and features a win and move on grand prix, kicks off in April.

Among the featherweight ranks will be former Bellator featherweight title challengers Adam Borics and Jeremy Kennedy, both of whom were defeated by Patricio Pitbull in their bid for gold. Pitbull was recently granted his release by the PFL, after sitting out most of 2024 and voicing his displeasure with the promotion.

Also in the mix at featherweight in 2025 is Gabriel Braga, a 2023 PFL finalist, who defeated Kennedy this past November. 2021 PFL tournament champ Movlid Khaybulaev is also in the mix, as is 2023 champ Jesus Pinedo.

The full featherweight roster looks as follows:

• Jesus Pinedo (23-6-1) of Peru
• Gabriel Braga (15-2) of Brazil
• Adam Borics (19-2) of Hungary
• Movlid Khaybulaev (21-0-1, 1 NC) of Russia
• Jeremy Kennedy (19-5) of Canada
• Yves Landu (21-9) of France
• Nathan Kelly (11-3) of Ireland
• Tae Kyun Kim (10-1) of South Korea
• Alternate – Frederick Dupras (8-1) of Canada
• Alternate – Nathan Ghareeb (10-3) of the United States

The PFL has also announced the welterweight alternates for 2025, after revealing the eight-man roster for the 170lb division yesterday. Dmitrii Hrytsenko (9-1) of Ukraine and Joseph Luciano (10-2) of Australia will serve as potential replacements in that weight class.

“The PFL World Tournament is the toughest test in MMA, where fighters have one shot to win and advance,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray, quoted in Wednesday’s press release. “Our Welterweight and Featherweight divisions are stacked with world-class talent, each athlete facing a high-stakes, single-elimination path to greatness. Fans across the globe can experience the action live through our premier distribution partners, including ESPN in the U.S., internationally on DAZN, and other premium media partners. The First Round starts this April.”

Correction 2PM ET: PFL has issued a correction to their original press release as Tae Kyun Kim, not Sang Won Kim, is taking part in this year’s featherweight World Tournament. Our apologies for any confusion. Article has been updated to reflect.

The post Featherweight Roster for PFL World Tournament Includes Braga, Borics appeared first on Cageside Press.

Headlining the show was 2022 champ Brendan Loughane, who had been eliminated following the regular season last year, but who had bounced back with a vengeance in 2024. First overall at 145lbs, he was paired up with Bellator vet Kai Kamaka III in what promised to be a violent clash for as long as it lasted.

On the other side of the featherweight bracket, Gabriel Braga, a sentimental fan favorite who had gone through personal tragedy to get here, was paired up with the unbeaten Timur Khizriev.

Welterweights, meanwhile, anchored the co-main event with former Bellator MMA title challenger Neiman Gracie facing Magomed Umalatov in one of the night’s two 170lb semifinals.

Where to Watch PFL Washington

The PFL sets up shop at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. on Friday, August 23, 2024. The card airs live on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S., and DAZN in Canada and Europe. Full results can be found below.

PFL Washington: Loughnane vs. Kamaka Results

Main card

Brendan Loughnane def. Kai Kamaka III by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) – featherweight semifinal
Magomed Umalatov def. Neiman Gracie by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – welterweight semifinal
Timur Khizriev def. Gabriel Braga by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27) – featherweight semifinal
Shamil Musaev def. Murad Ramazanov by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) – welterweight semifinal

Preliminary card

Mukhamed Berkhamov def. Ray Cooper III by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Enrique Barzola def. Tyler Diamond by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jose Perez def. Jesse Stirn by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Maxwell Djantou Nana def. Kent Mafileo by TKO, Round 2, 4:52
Shido Boris Esperança def. Tyler Hill by TKO (strikes), Round 1, 3:31

The post PFL Washington: Loughnane vs. Kamaka Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Headlining the show, 2022 champ and top seed Brendan Loughnane, taking on Hawaiian Bellator MMA veteran Kai Kamaka III. On the opposite side of the 145lb bracket, meanwhile, Timur Khizriev and Gabriel Braga were set to face off.

In the welterweight co-main event, also a semifinal bout, Magomed Umalatov was paired up with Bellator vet and former title challenger Neiman Gracie.

Full results from Friday’s weigh-in, which had a single hiccup, are below. That hiccup came when Eric Alequin failed to weigh in for his fight with Luca Poclit.

PFL Washington: Loughnane vs. Kamaka Weigh-In Results

Main Card

Featherweight: Brendan Loughnane (146 lbs) vs. Kai Kamaka III (145.6 lbs) – tournament semifinal
Welterweight: Magomed Umalatov (170.6 lbs) vs. Neiman Gracie (170 lbs) – tournament semifinal
Featherweight: Gabriel Braga (146 lbs) vs. Timur Khizriev (145.8 lbs) – tournament semifinal
Welterweight: Shamil Musaev (170.2 lbs) vs. Murad Ramazanov (171 lbs) – tournament semifinal

Preliminary Card

Welterweight: Ray Cooper III (171 lbs) vs. Mukhamed Berkhamov (170.4 lbs)
Welterweight: Eric Alequin* vs. Luca Poclit (170.2 lbs)
Featherweight: Tyler Diamond (145.6 lbs) vs. Enrique Barzola (145.4 lbs)
Featherweight: Jesse Stirn (145.6 lbs) vs. Jose Perez (145.2 lbs)
Heavyweight: Maxwell Djantou Nana (263.8 lbs) vs. Kent Mafileo (248.0 lbs)
Welterweight: Shido Boris Esperança (170.8 lbs) vs. Tyler Hill (171.0 lbs)

* Alequin failed to weigh in, and his fight with Luca Poclit has been removed from the card

The post PFL Washington: Loughnane vs. Kamaka Weigh-In Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

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.

The post Gabriel Braga Wants Names Like Pitbull, McKee, Pico in PFL Season appeared first on Cageside Press.

“He left us, but in leaving us he left me very ready, ready for these moments. Ready to make him proud, and ready to conquer the world,” Braga told Cageside Press through a translator at his post-fight scrum.

“That’s what I’m here to do.”

Diego Braga was was murdered by suspected drug traffickers while searching for a stolen motorcycle. The 44-year-old was the cornerstone of Gabriel’s fight camp, and a very close confidant.

Braga (13-1) was one of only two featherweights to finish their fights and add 6 points on the board on Friday night.

“I’m here to be a champion. Last year I feel like I conquered a lot of space within the organization. I proved my worth, but this year I’m here to be champion. That’s what I’m going to do,” he said.

Now that he’s on the board and past this fight Braga will wait to see who he gets matched up with in the next round.

“I train to fight anybody and everybody. I’d fight all nine of them if I could,” he said.

“Line them up.”

The post Gabriel Braga Speaks On First Fight Following Father’s Death appeared first on Cageside Press.

The PFL has made some key changes to the featherweight bouts scheduled for this Saturday’s pay-per-view event.  The promotion announced Tuesday morning that Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull has a new opponent in 2023 finalist Gabriel Braga.  Braga’s original opponent, Aaron Pico, will face Henry Corrales in a rematch of their bout in 2019.

𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Updated #PFLvsBellator Fight Card

•New Matchup: @PatricioPitbull will now face @Gabrielbragab in a Featherweight bout
•New Matchup: @AaronPicoUSA will now face Henry Corrales

[ #PFLvsBellator | Saturday, Feb 24th | 3pm EST | 🎟 https://t.co/C7U3kwS1zr] pic.twitter.com/KqDSQiYUBv

— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 20, 2024

Freire had previously been scheduled to take on 2023 PFL featherweight tournament winner Jesus Pinedo but it was announced this past Saturday that Pinedo was forced out of the bout due to suffering an injury.

Freire enters the bout as one of the top talents to now be part of the PFL as part of their acquisition of Bellator as the Brazilian featherweight is highly regarded as one of the best talents of the past decade.  “Pitbull” holds many records win the promotion including most victories and most victories in title fights and he has even went up and won the lightweight title to become a two-division champion.  Freire will be looking to return to the win-column as 2023 saw him unsuccessfully attempt to win the bantamweight title and lose an extremely short notice bout.

Braga had a dominant run to the finals that saw him best Pinedo early in the tournament and go on to take on UFC veteran Marlon Moraes and PFL veteran Chris Wade.  This past holiday season, Braga suffered the loss of his father and coach and this will be his first bout without him in the corner.  Braga will now be moved to the main card after previously being scheduled to be on the prelims against Pico.

Corrales will now step into the bout on six days notice to take a bout that requires flying to the other side of the world.  The bout will be a rematch of their fight that took place in 2019.  Then super prospect Pico had rattled off four straight knockout victories and the bout with the more seasoned Corrales was expected to be a step up in competition.  Instead, Corrales delivered one of the most electrifying victories of his career as he stopped Pico in the first round.

The event is scheduled to be the first of several planned pay-per-view events held by the PFL in Saudi Arabia as part of their new partnership.  The PFL Champs vs. Bellator Champs event will air this Saturday in the United States on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

The post PFL Books Pitbull vs Braga, Pico vs Corrales 2 for Bellator Crossover Event appeared first on Cageside Press.