Timur Khizriev has never lost in 16 professional MMA bouts, but Gabriel Braga vows to make him taste defeat for the very first time on Friday at PFL 9.
Braga reached the 145-pound finals in 2023 and came up short against Jesus Pinedo, suffering his only loss in the sport, and climbed back to the playoffs after back-to-back stoppages over Justin Gonzales and Bubba Jenkins earlier this year.
“Everybody is undefeated until they lose one day, and now is his turn,” Braga said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “I’m always fighting tough opponents so it’s nothing new to me. I’m 100 percent ready, both mentally and physically. I’m ready to put on another show in there and get the win.”
Khizriev went 3-0 in Bellator, including a victory over former title contender Daniel Weichel, before winning twice under the PFL banner this year. Despite his unbeaten resume, Braga said he sees holes in his game.
“I’m the type of athlete that sees flaws in every fighter,” Braga said. “No one is perfect, everybody makes mistakes. He tends to get to positions and gain time and make it all to the end and we definitely trained focusing on that and the techniques he does to make sure we can put on a spectacle in there.”
“Sometimes he stands and trades as well,” he continued. “But I believe he will definitely want to grapple with me once he feels my pressure on the feet. I’ll be ready for that game and box him all night.”
Braga said that the experience of competing in the 2023 championship final got him better prepared to perform under pressure and deliver exciting performances, and he feels ready to “chase the belt this year.”
Brendan Loughnane and Kai Kamaka III will be competing for the other spot in the final in the main event of PFL 9 at The Anthem, and Braga admits he would rather face Loughnane for gold. Loughnane won the PFL 2022 season championship, and has stopped Pedro Carvalho and Justin Gonzales so far this year.
“It’s a good fight with two good fighters,” Braga said. “Brendan is fast, but Kamaka is very resilient, a brawler. But I think Brendan wins. I’ll win my fight, and I would like to fight him in the final.”
