With just five days until PFL vs. Bellator: Champions, the fight card has undergone slight adjustments, impacting notable matchups involving Bellator stars Patricio Freire and Aaron Pico due to the withdrawal of Jesus Pinedo.
Originally set to face Freire (35-7) in a champion vs. champion clash, Pinedo’s absence has led to Gabriel Braga (12-1) stepping in to fill the void. Braga, initially slated to fight Pico (12-4), now takes on Freire, with Pico targeted for a rematch against Henry Corrales (21-7), his opponent from 2019.
This shuffle, revealed by sources close to the situation, is part of the promotion’s efforts to finalize the lineup for the event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While some details are still pending confirmation, including signed bout agreements, Ag has reported the changes. Fight and MMA Junkie.
Freire, known as “Pitbull,” seeks redemption following back-to-back losses, including a failed bid for bantamweight gold against Sergio Pettis and an unexpected defeat in a RIZIN bout against Chihiro Suzuki.
Braga enters the matchup amidst personal tragedy, having recently lost his father, who played a significant role in his MMA journey. Despite a loss to Pinedo in the 2023 PFL featherweight postseason, Braga remains a formidable contender.
Pico, a standout in Bellator’s roster, aims to continue his resurgence after notable victories over James Gonzalez and Pedro Carvalho. Corrales, a seasoned Bellator veteran, seeks a rebound from a recent loss to Kai Kamaka III, aiming to regain momentum after a three-fight winning streak.
The revised PFL vs. Bellator: Champions lineup includes compelling matchups such as Renan Ferreira vs. Ryan Bader, Ray Cooper III vs. Jason Jackson, and Thiago Santos vs. Yoel Romero, among others.
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