PFL Playoffs: Jesus Pinedo stuns Bubba Jenkins to go within one win of world championship
- Planet Sport writer
- 5 August 2023
Featherweights Jesus Pinedo and Gabriel Braga will square off for $1million after reaching the final stage of the 2023 PFL tournament.
The Professional Fighters League kicked off the 2023 Playoffs with action live from the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio.
The evening's card featured four Playoff bouts across the Featherweight and Light Heavyweight divisions.
In the night's main event, Jesus Pindeo scored his second straight upset victory, stopping the number one seeded Bubba Jenkins.
The second round TKO puts Pinedo one victory away from a PFL World Championship and $1million purse. Gabriel Braga and Pinedo are set to collide in the Featherweight Finals.
In the evening's co-main event, top-seeded Light Heavyweight Joshua Silveira needed one round to finish Ty Flores.
A barrage of knees from Silveira gave him a TKO win and spot in the Light Heavyweight Finals. Silveira will take on Impa Kasanganay with $1million and a PFL World Championship on the line.
Rising star Gabriel Braga of Brazil squared off with PFL veteran Chris Wade in a Featherweight Playoff semifinal bout.
Braga and Wade went back and forth through the three round contest with Braga earning a close split decision victory and a place in the Featherweight final.
The 2023 PFL Playoff action began in the Light Heavyweight division featuring a battle between the two seed Marthin Hamlet and 2023 PFL Challenger Series contract winner Impa Kasanganay.
Kasaganay continued his impressive run in the PFL with a first Round KO to advance to the Light Heavyweight Finals.
PFL CEO Peter Murray said: "The 2023 PFL Playoffs kicked off tonight in San Antonio with four fighters moving on to the PFL World Championship and continuing their million dollar journey.
"The PFL's unique season format makes each fight a must win, giving the audience the best action in MMA. We look forward to the final two 2023 PFL Playoff events live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden on August 18 and 23."
PFL President of Fighter Operations Ray Sefo added: "The PFL delivered another thrilling night of action for MMA fans around the world.
"Congratulations to our four elite athletes who have clinched their spots in the PFL World Championship."
To kick off the main card, 2023 PFL Challenger Series contract winner Elvin Espinoza and Keoni Diggs took to the PFL SmartCage.
In a back-and-forth contest which went the distance, Espinoza earned a unanimous decision victory to remain undefeated at 9-0.
Thad Jean and Ali Omar, another pair of 2023 PFL Challenger Series alums, collided in a Welterweight showcase bout to close out the undercard.
Jean showcased his power as he overwhelmed Omar with strikes to pick up the first round TKO victory. Jean remains unbeaten in his career at 6-0.
Two 2023 PFL Challenger Series alums, Desiree Yanez and Lisa Mauldin squared off in a Women's Flyweight. Mauldin submitted Yanez by rear naked choke in the opening round and improved her career record to 6-3.
San Antonio native, Anthony Ivy, matched up with Carson Hardman in a Welterweight showcase. In his PFL debut, Ivy impressed the hometown crowd, defeating Hardman via first round submission earning his 4th consecutive submission victory.
Chelsea Hackett, a two-time Muay Thai world champion, faced off with Ky Bennett in a Women's Flyweight showcase bout. Hackett was victorious in her PFL debut, submitting Bennett in the second round via rear-naked choke.
The 2023 PFL Challenger Series alum Billy Elekana and Chuck Campbell squared up in a Light Heavyweight showcase contest. Elekana defeated Campbell via split decision, improving to 6-1.
The PFL will return to action from The Theater at Madison Square Garden for the final two playoff events on Friday, August 18 and Wednesday, August 23.
Eight fighters across the Women's Featherweight and Heavyweight divisions will enter the PFL SmartCage on August 18 in pursuit of a 2023 PFL World Championship opportunity.
All 2023 PFL Playoff events are live on DAZN.
PFL Playoff Results
Jesus Pinedo defeats Bubba Jenkins by 2nd Round TKO (4:40)
Joshua Silveira defeats Ty Flores by 1st Round TKO (4:46)
Gabriel Braga defeats Chris Wade by split decision (30-27, 29-28, 27-30)
Impa Kasanganay defeats Marthin Hamlet by 1st round KO (2:24)
Elvin Espinoza defeats Keoni Diggs by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Thad Jean defeats Ali Omar by 1st round TKO (1:54)
Lisa Mauldin defeats Desiree Yanez by 1st round submission (rear-naked choke, 3:08)
Anthony Ivy defeats Carson Hardman by 1st round submission (rear-naked choke, 2:34)
Chelsea Hackett defeats Ky Bennett by 2nd round submission (rear-naked choke, 4:42)
Billy Elekana defeats Chuck Campbell by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
