Gabriel Braga entered 2024 PFL 3 to compete for the first time since his father’s death, and he walked away with the victory.
As the clock wound down in Round 1, Braga (13-1) drilled opponent Justin Gonzales (14-4) with a clean punching combination that stopped the fight at the 4:59 mark. The win at Wintrust Arena in Chicago earned Braga six points in the 2024 featherweight regular season standings.
Braga, the 2023 runner-up, hadn’t fought since his father, Diego, was killed in Brazil in January. Reports indicated a drug gang murdered Diego while searching for a stolen motorcycle.
Diego served as his son’s head coach and mentor for his entire career, so Gabriel felt the impact both personally and professionally. In February, he withdrew on weigh-ins day from a fight vs. Bellator champion Patricio Freire as he determined he wasn’t mentally ready to compete.
Gabriel Braga!!! 6 Points!
Massive W for him and immediate emotion as he wins without his father in his corner for the first time#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
ESPN
https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/UesYOjzNkW
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 20, 2024
With the victory, Braga moves to 5-1 in PFL with two finishes by strikes.
A Bellator import, Gonzales loses his PFL debut and falls into a three-fight skid.
The up-to-the-minute 2024 PFL 3 results include:
- Gabriel Braga def. Justin Gonzales via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:59
- Goiti Yamauchi def. Neiman Gracie via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Kai Kamaka III def. Bubba Jenkins via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Adam Borics def. Enrique Barzola via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Timur Khizriev def. Brett Johns via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Murad Ramazanov def. Laureano Staropoli via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:07
- Don Madge def. Brennan Ward via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:02
- Thad Jean def. Romain Debienne via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:07
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL 3.