The PFL Playoffs kicked off Friday night with the featherweight and light heavyweight semifinals live on ESPN. Jesus Pinedo stunned Bubba Jenkins in the main event, knocking off the top seed to advance. Gabriel Braga, Josh Silveira and Impa Kasanganay also moved on.
PFL Playoffs: Featherweight Finals Set
It will be Jesus Pinedo and Gabriel Braga in the PFL featherweight finals after both advanced as the first PFL Playoffs event of 2023. The card aired live on ESPN from San Antonio.
Pinedo shocked top-seed Bubba Jenkins, finishing him in the second round. Pinedo knocked off defending champion Brendan Loughnane to advance earlier this year to the final four.
Braga, meanwhile, scored a split decision over Chris Wade to move on.
“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,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “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 Playoffs: Two Advance In Light Heavyweight Division
Josh Silveira and Impa Kasanganay each earned finishes and will now square off later this year for the light heavyweight title and $1 million prize.
“The PFL delivered another thrilling night of action for MMA fans around the world,” said PFL President of Fighter Operations Ray Sefo. “Congratulations to our four elite athletes who have clinched their spots in the PFL World Championship.”
Silveira stopped Ty Flores with a series of knees in the first round, while Kasanganay knocked out Marthin Hamlet in the opening three minutes.
Up Next
The promotion moves to New York City for the remaining semifinal round fights and final two events of the playoff portion. Those matches will include the likes of Larissa Pacheco, Renan Ferreira, Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Sadibou Sy.
Up first will be PFL Playoffs 8 on August 18, with PFL 9 taking place five days later. Both events air live on ESPN and stream on ESPN+.
PFL Playoffs Results
PFL 7 (from San Antonio)
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)
