Gabriel Braga knocked out Justin Gonzales in the first round and came out on top in the 2024 PFL featherweight tournament (Photo: Reproduction)
The big highlight of the night was Gabriel Braga, runner-up in the PFL under-66kg division in 2023, the Rio native knocked out Justin Gonzales in the first round. In a Brazilian duel in the under-77kg category, Goiti Yamauchi overcame Neiman Gracie in the unanimous decision of the judges. On the preliminary card, Otto Rodrigues was defeated by Tyler Diamond, also a unanimous decision.
The fight started with the fighters exchanging low kicks in the center of the cage. Gabriel sought to surround his rival on the fence, Gonzales responded with an attempted takedown, which was well defended by the Rio native. In the second attempt, the American started to control Braga by his hips, pinning the Brazilian to the railing, where he started to throw strong knees at Gabriel. With less than a minute left before the end of the round, the fighters went to the center of the cage, and in a “blitz” by the Rio native, Braga connected with a left cross with just one second left in the round and knocked out the American.
With the result, Gabriel Braga has an advantage in the PFL featherweight tournament in 2024, scoring a total of six points, three for victory, and three more for finishing the fight in the first round. It is worth mentioning that this was the Rio native’s first fight since the death of his father and coach Diego Braga, who was murdered in January this year.
Goiti Yamauchi defeats Neiman Gracie in rematch
The fight started with a lot of study between the rivals. Goiti landed the first good blow when he landed a knee against Neiman. Yamauchi was better at fighting on the feet, connecting good sequences of jabs and uppercuts. Gracie tried to respond by pulling his rival into guard, who constantly avoided the fight on the ground against the Rio native. Goiti landed a straight left that took Neiman to the ground. Recovered, Gracie tried the takedown once again, but without success.
In the second round Yamauchi continued to fight better on the feet, chasing his rival all over the cage. Neiman tried to work on the counterattack, but was unable to pose much danger to his opponent. Gracie managed to find the distance and started hitting good straight shots at Goiti. In a spinning kick attempt, the Japanese-Brazilian was taken down by Neiman, but quickly got up. In the decisive round, Goiti connected a good sequence of jab and direct. Neiman also returned with a direct shot. Gracie managed to take the fight to the ground but did not evolve into any position or attempt at a submission and the fight was ended.
PFL newcomers, the welterweight clash marked the second meeting between Goiti and Neiman. The fighters had faced each other in 2022, at Bellator 284, which ended in the Japanese-Brazilian’s victory by knockout.
Otto Rodrigues is defeated on the preliminary card
Another newcomer to the PFL, Otto Rodrigues was beaten by Tyler Diamond in the unanimous decision of the judges. The clash began with the American connecting with a good right cross on the Rio native, who responded in the same way. Diamond managed to knock down Rodrigues with a straight shot and getting to his back, but was unable to evolve into a submission.
In the second round, Tyler came close to knocking him out, and punished the Brazilian with a series of hooks. At the end of the partial, Rodrigues had a very injured left eye. The decisive round continued with extensive dominance from Diamond, who controlled and emerged victorious from the clash without suffering any dangers.
COMPLETE RESULTS:
PFL MMA #03Chicago, United States
Friday, April 19, 2024
Main card
Magomed Umalatov defeated Andrey Koreshkov via unanimous decision
Brendan Loughnane defeated Pedro Carvalho via TKO in R1
Shamil Musaev defeated Logan Storley by knockout in R2
Gabriel Braga defeated Justin Gonzalez by knockout in R1
Goiti Yamauchi defeated Neiman Gracie via unanimous decision by the judges
Kai Kamaka II defeated Bubba Jenkins via unanimous decision
Preliminary card
Adam Borics x Enrique Barzola by unanimous decision of the judges
Timur Khizriev vs Brett Johns by unanimous decision of the judges
Murad Ramazanov vs. Laureano Staropoli via rear naked choke in R1
Don Madge submitted Brennan Ward with a rear naked choke in R1
Tyler Diamond x Otto Rodrigues by unanimous decision of the judges
Thad Jean defeated Roman Debienne via knockout in R1
