Gabriel Braga Vows to Punish Jesus Pinedo in Heated PFL Trilogy Showdown

Gabriel Braga enters the co-main event of PFL 5 with a burning desire to settle the score against Jesus Pinedo in their highly anticipated featherweight trilogy. Set to unfold Thursday in Nashville, Tennessee, this pivotal bout could send one of them to the finals of the 2025 PFL featherweight tournament.

The Brazilian striker narrowly edged Pinedo by a split decision in their first clash in early 2023. However, Pinedo evened the rivalry with a dominant TKO victory later that year, claiming the featherweight championship and the $1 million prize. Now, Braga returns to the cage not just seeking redemption—but with a plan to deliver a statement win.

"This is the vibe I’m bringing for this fight," Braga said. "From the moment I knew I was going to fight him, I was on that vibe, that intensity... I’m coming more focused and hungrier for this fight."

Braga has changed his approach entirely this time, focusing not only on physical training but sharpening his mental game. Fueling his fire is the memory of that title loss, the only defeat of his professional career to date. According to Braga, it was a pain that shaped him into a more formidable fighter.

Tensions flared during fight week as Braga expressed his frustration with Pinedo’s silence during their faceoff.

"That’s why it pisses me off because, in front of others, he wants to talk shit, but when he has to talk in front of me he’s silent?" Braga said. "I told him [Monday], ‘Hey, you like talking and now you’ll stay quiet? Say something.’"

Now with revenge on his mind, Braga is aiming for more than just a win—he wants to inflict damage.

"I want to hurt him there," he declared. "I have a very aggressive mindset now. I don’t want to leave it to the judges. I wanna go there and dominate all rounds... But if he doesn’t, he’ll get finished first. I’ll stop him first."