Gabriel Braga grew up in Rio de Janeiro and started his martial arts journey in Muay Thai, moving on to MMA and impressing with consistent wins. Braga’s 2023 saw him compete in the PFL Challenger Series and go on to compete in the PFL Regular Season. Braga, however, tasted defeat for the first time in his career when he lost in the 2023 PFL World Championship to Jesus Pinedo. Braga, however, has managed to get back to the Playoffs with finishes of Justin Gonzales and Bubba Jenkins.

 

Starting his combat journey through Wushu at a young age, Timur Khizriev went on to become a two-time national champion in the sport before finding success in MMA. Khizriev, currently 16-0, has competed in a number of regional promotions, including a tournament title win and a 3-0 Bellator record. Khizriev clinched a playoff spot through decision wins over Brett Johns and Enrique Barzola during the regular season.

 

Who will grab the first spot in this year’s PFL Featherweight World Championship fight?

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kicks from both men to start. Another low kick from Braga. One-two from Khizriev as he tries for a takedown already, but Braga gets away. Braga flashes the left. Low front kick from Khizriev. Braga misses the leg kick. Body kick from Braga. Inside leg kick from Khizriev. Left jab from Khizriev. Low kicks from both men. One-two from Khizriev. Braga throws the jab. Khizriev with a couple of combinations. Left hand from Braga. Front kick from Khizriev. One-two from Khizriev. Low kick from Braga.

 

Low kick misses for Braga. Khizriev with a right hand. Khizriev showing the low kick. Low kick from Braga. Low kick from Khizriev. The two exchange low kicks. A pair of right hands from Khizriev. Left hand from Braga, and Khizriev answers with a one-two. Low kick exchange again. One-two from Khizriev, and he follows that with a takedown. Braga is able to scramble back to his feet. One-two from Khizriev. Khizriev with a kick to the body. Braga with a high kick, and Khizriev returns it. High kick attempted by Braga. Khizriev avoids a jumping knee.

 

 

Round 2

 

Left hand from both men. Low kick from Khizriev. Left jab from Khizriev. Low kick from Braga. Left hand from Braga. Braga misses a low kick. Khizriev with a combination. Braga with a solid right hand. Combination from Braga, and he avoids an uppercut from Khizriev. Braga lands a left hand. Left jab from Khizriev. Left uppercut to the body by Khizriev. Braga misses a couple of low kicks. Left hand from Braga. Low kick from Braga is answered with an uppercut from Khizriev. A couple of left hands from Khizriev. Front kick misses for Braga.

 

Low kick from Braga. Left hand by Khizriev. Left hand from Braga. One-two from Khizriev. Low kick exchange from the two men. Uppercut by Khizriev. The two exchange jabs. Khizriev with a front kick to the body. One-two by Khizriev. More low kick exchanging. Double jab from Khizriev. Combination from Braga. A couple of jabs thrown by Khizriev. Front kick by Braga. Left hand by Khizriev, and Braga is busted open around his nose. Some heavy exchanging from both men at the closing seconds of the round.

 

 

Round 3

 

Khizriev comes out and goes for a takedown right away, getting Braga to the fence. Braga gets the underhook. Front kick by Braga. Left hand to the body by Braga. One-two by Braga. Low kick by Braga. Left jabs from Khizriev. Braga lands the right but misses the left. Low kick from Braga. A pair of left hands by Braga. Round kick by Khizriev. Front kick by Braga that lands upstairs. Low kick by Braga. Left hand by Braga.

 

One-two from Braga. The two exchange low kicks. One-two from Khizriev. Khizriev goes for a takedown, but Braga defends and threatens a one-two. Round kick to the body by Braga. Khizriev with a couple of left jabs. Another kick from Braga. One-two from Braga. Left hand by Braga. Low kick by Khizriev. Left hand by Braga. Front kick by Braga. Exchange of jabs. Low kick from Braga. Low kick from Braga answered with a left hand from Khizriev. Front kick from Braga. One-two by Khizriev ripped to the body. Khizriev looks for a takedown. One-two from Braga. Khizriev grabs a hold of Braga’s leg before the horn.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Timur Khizriev defeats Gabriel Braga by split decision (30-27x2, 28-29) in the PFL Featherweight Semifinals, earning a spot in the 2024 PFL World Championship. He’ll fight the winner of Brendan Loughnane vs. Kai Kamaka for the PFL Featherweight belt and $1 million.

  • Khizriev remains undefeated at 17-0
  • Khizriev qualifies for the PFL World Championship in his first season