Jesus “El Mudo” Pinedo takes on Gabriel Braga for a third time in the PFL World Tournament semifinals in Nashville.
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Following a stretch of bad luck last year, the 2023 PFL featherweight tournament winner Jesus Pinedo already on track to regain momentum in the ever changing landscape of mixed martial arts. Â Following multiple fight cancellations, it’s easy to say that “El Mudo” found himself demoted from the foreground going into the new 2025 tournament. Â However, he announced himself again in a big way, stopping Bellator veteran and former title challenger Adam Borics to punch his ticket to the semifinals today.
“I’m very excited to make my return after a year away due to an injury I had. What happened, happened. Fortunately we won the first round matchup. It was a great fight week, I felt great, felt alive. I love fight week. Weight cut aside, it’s a beautiful week for me.”
His semifinal is arguably one of the more intriguing matchups in the whole tournament as he once again faces Brazilian dynamo Gabriel Braga. Â The two have plenty of history, splitting a pair of fights in 2023 where Braga bested Pinedo in their first round matchup while Pinedo took home the victory in the fight that meant the most when won via knockout in the tournament final.
“It’s not personal with Braga. He’s a tough fighter like everyone else in this tournament. I don’t see it as a trilogy. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I won that fight. Everyone that saw that fight says I won. So I’m going into this one up 2-0, and on June 12, I’m going to make it 3-0. I’ve worked very hard for this…He’s improved since the last time we fought. I always look at the big picture when it comes to the division. I don’t focus on a single fighter because I know everyone here is good and they prepare very well and come to win. He’s changed many things, he’s improved in many areas, but I have as well. I’m expecting a great fight in this one, and I’m sure it will be.”
Of course, there’s still business to be had. Â A matchup with featherweight champion Timur Khizriev is likely awaiting the winner of the tournament. Â But there’s another big name matchup in the field that Pinedo has his eye.
“I’m not sure who’s going to win that one, but I’d prefer to face Movlid. I’d like to fight him he’s tough. I’ve trained with Team Khabib a couple of years ago, and I know how tough they are. It’s a fight that interests me. I’d like to to take that victory, win the belt over someone like him, you know?”
Jesus “El Mudo” Pinedo takes on Gabriel Braga in the semifinals of the PFL World Tournament TONIGHT in Nashville, Tennessee.
