Gabriel Braga and Jesus Pinedo are set to face off in a highly anticipated trilogy bout, serving as the co-main event for PFL 5 this Thursday in Nashville, Tennessee. The Brazilian fighter, Braga, is clearly seeking revenge in this matchup.
These skilled featherweights first clashed in early 2023, where Braga secured a split decision win. However, Pinedo retaliated later that year by claiming the featherweight championship with a third-round TKO victory. Now, they meet for a third time with a spot in this year`s tournament final on the line, and Braga showcased intense energy during their pre-fight staredown.
“This is the exact energy I`m bringing into this fight,” Braga stated. “From the moment I learned I would be facing him again, I adopted this specific intensity – something I didn`t have in our past encounters. My approach is different this time; it`s not just physical and technical, but also deeply mental. I feel much more focused and genuinely hungrier for this victory.”
Braga recalled that Pinedo seemed to return “with more hate” for their rematch in November 2023, and Braga asserts he now carries that same level of feeling heading into Thursday`s bout.
“I understand exactly how he felt then, and I plan to demonstrate that feeling myself this Thursday,” Braga declared. He added that he was particularly irritated by Pinedo`s lack of response during their faceoff. “That`s precisely what bothers me; he`s willing to talk trash when others are around, but goes silent when we`re face-to-face? I even told him, `You enjoy talking, so why are you quiet now? Say something.` But honestly, that`s minor. My main focus is unwavering. I`ve never been more prepared. I`m coming here on Thursday with one goal: to prove beyond doubt that I am the superior fighter.”
Braga confessed that his TKO defeat to Pinedo, which marked the first loss of his professional career, was the most painful one, especially because it cost him the title and a significant million-dollar prize. However, he noted that this experience helped him “mature” considerably and fueled his determination to pursue championship gold again.
“My approach is much more aggressive now,” Braga stated. “While getting my hand raised at the end of the fight is ultimately what counts most, I specifically intend to inflict damage on him in there. I`ve adopted a highly aggressive mentality. I refuse to leave the outcome to the judges. I don`t want anyone else deciding the win for him. My plan is to go in and completely dominate every round, assuming he can endure it. But if he can`t, he`ll be finished long before the final bell. I will be the one to stop him.”
Murray Blackwood