A familiar and popular face amongst PFL fans, Gabriel Braga steps up on short notice to fill in for former PFL Featherweight Champion Jesus Pinedo. Braga won his first 12 professional fights, including a win during the 2023 PFL Challenger Series and running through Jesus Pinedo, Marlon Moraes, and Chris Wade before suffering a loss to Pinedo in the finals. Braga suffered a great tragedy earlier this year when his father and coach, Diego, was killed. Braga finished Justin Gonzales and Bubba Jenkins during the Regular Season before a split decision loss to Timur Kizriev in the Playoffs.
Jeremy Kennedy began his martial arts journey at 13, training Brazilian jiu-jitsu and going on to earn a black belt under Bibiano Fernandes. Kennedy, the Xtreme Couture product, has won 19 of 25 fights he’s had thus far, including wins over the likes of Aaron Pico, Pedro Carvalho, and Emmanuel Sanchez. Kennedy challenged Patricio Pitbull for the Bellator Featherweight Championship in March, losing via third-round TKO.
Which of these two highly-touted featherweights will have his hand raised in what should be a fun, competitive outing?
Round 1
Low kick from Braga. Front kick from Braga. Kennedy with a round kick on the arm of Braga. Kennedy level changes and scores a takedown of Braga temporarily. Kennedy pressing Braga into the fence, trying to get him off balance. Braga with a few inside shots as Kennedy keeps the body lock tight. Kennedy tries for a single-leg now, but Braga is holding him off. Braga blocks a Kennedy attempt at a trip. Kennedy tries again, but Braga ends up on top. Kennedy tries for a Whizzer, but Braga looks for a D’Arce choke. Kennedy uses the awkward angle to get out and press Braga into the fence.
Braga landing a series of hard elbows to the head of Kennedy, who is now bleeding. The fight returns to the feet, and Braga shoves Kennedy off after some time. Braga with a calf kick and a jab. Left hand from Braga. Braga lands a right hand. Braga using his range and landing straights Low kick from Braga. One-two from Kennedy. Left hand and a right from Braga. Low kick from Kennedy. Low kick from Braga. One-two from Kennedy. Low kick from Kennedy. Kennedy with a couple of elbows. Upperward elbow from Braga. Kennedy with a strong combination as he has Braga against the fence.
Round 2
Low kick from Braga. Left hook from Kennedy. Both men trade calf kicks and hooks. Braga with a stiff jab. Strong right hand from Braga. Another strong right hand from Braga. Braga landing kicks on the calf. Kennedy presses Braga into the fence. Kennedy seeking a takedown on Braga, who is busted open around his nose. Kennedy picks up one of Braga’s legs briefly. Braga re-squares himself. Braga escapes from the fence, and Kennedy misses a right hand. Kennedy presses Braga into the fence again. Kennedy gets a takedown. Braga quickly returns to the feet and looks to escape, but Kennedy with a mat return.
Kennedy looking to get hooks in. Kennedy landing knees to Braga’s legs. The referee calls for action as Kennedy gets a hook in. Kennedy looks for another as he takes Braga’s back, but Braga defends it well. Kennedy continuing to press Braga into the fence. Kennedy briefly gets Braga back down, but Braga refuses to be let down. Kennedy with a BIG lift and scores another takedown. Braga immediately trying to get back to his feet. Kennedy lands a few knees to the thigh before the bell.
Round 3
Left hand and a front kick from Braga. Both men land a calf kick. Braga works a combination. Kennedy with three consecutive left hooks. Kennedy grabs a leg and returns to pressing Braga into the fence. Braga looked to lock an arm around the neck, but Kennedy easily avoids it. Braga fights his way off the fence. Braga with a low kick, but Kennedy lands a right and goes back to pressing Braga. Kennedy trying to dig for the takedown, but Braga lands a couple of elbows to the head. Right hand lands for Kennedy before Braga escapes. Kennedy with a combination before another takedown attempt. Braga landing more elbows down on Kennedy.
Kennedy continuing to try and work for the takedown. With less than two minutes to go, Braga makes a switch and manages to get behind Kennedy in a standing position, appearing to have control of Kennedy’s hips. Kennedy looks for a Whizzer but has to abandon it. Braga wraps a leg around Kennedy’s and looks to lock him up. Braga with a suplex and he’s got a takedown on Kennedy. Kennedy scrambles back to his feet, looking for hand control and a Whizzer before the fight returns to the feet. Kennedy misses another takedown attempt. Braga with one more flurry before the final bell.
OFFICIAL RESULT
Gabriel Braga defeats Jeremy Kennedy by unanimous decision (29-28x3) in a PFL FW Showcase Bout
Braga moves his career record to 15-2, rebounding from his semifinal loss last time out in the PFL Playoffs to the undefeated Timur Khizriev
Braga was the 2023 PFL Featherweight Runner-Up
