CHICAGO – With a heavy heart, Gabriel Braga entered the cage for the first time since his father’s death.
At PFL 3 in 2024, Braga (13-1) began his featherweight season with a fight against Justin Gonzales. With one second left in the first round, Braga had the referee stop the fight after throwing a series of hard punches that sent Gonzales (14-4) to the ground.
Braga fell to his knees in the center of the cage, letting the emotions of the moment take over as he raised both hands towards the sky.
“He left us, but by leaving us he made me very ready,” Braga said of his father through an interpreter during a post-fight press conference. “Ready for these moments, ready to make you proud and ready to conquer the world, that’s what I’m here for.”
Braga’s father, Diego, was killed in January in Brazil. A drug gang allegedly murdered him while searching for a stolen motorcycle.
While overcoming the pain of losing a parent, Braga’s circle helped keep a smile on her face. He continued training to prepare for this PFL season, which he intends to win.
“I’m here to be champion,” said Braga. “Last year, I feel like I gained a lot of space within the organization. I proved my worth, but this year I’m here to be a champion.”
Check out Braga’s full post-fight interview in the video above.
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to PFL 2024 Week 3.
