PFL's Jesus Pinedo excited to use elbows vs. Adam Borics: 'I will break him'
Jesus Pinedo is eager to finally step in the cage, especially because the circumstances are much different.
Pinedo (23-6-1), who just a few years ago was one of the biggest stories in MMA, returns Thursday against Adam Borics (19-2) in a 2025 PFL featherweight tournament quarterfinal fight in Orlando, Fla. 'El Mudo' hasn't competed since Nov. 24, 2023, the night he made history by crowning himself PFL featherweight champion and taking home the $1 million prize.
Also becoming the first Peruvian fighter to win a major belt in MMA.
After a series of injuries and canceled bouts, Pinedo finally gets to resume his career. And he's happy to do so with the legalization of elbows in PFL and the removal of the season format.
'For me, everything remains the same, but it is true that they changed the format of the tournament and the rules,' Pinedo told MMA Junkie in Spanish. 'There are elbows allowed now, which is something I like because I felt like it was a weapon that was taken away from me. In the past fights, I'm someone who likes to use elbows a ton, and now you'll get to see that.
'I'm ready for this format, and I do feel like it's better. You will now see who's the best, not just who wins.'
Pinedo has a tough welcome matchup in Borics, a Kill Cliff fighter who is 5-1 in his past six outings, including a victory over Pinedo's friend and former teammate, Enrique Barzola.
The 31-year-old is eager to fight again, and he promises to put away Borics.
'I'm ready. I know that he's a good rival,' Pinedo said. 'I know he has a good record and has fought very big names, but I'm ready and totally sure that that day I will come out victorious. I will break him.'
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for 2025 PFL World Tournament 1.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Real Betis & Switzerland Star Reveals ‘Inzaghi Wanted Me At Inter Milan Last Summer'
Real Betis & Switzerland Star Reveals 'Inzaghi Wanted Me At Inter Milan Last Summer' Real Betis defender Ricardo Rodriguez says that Simone Inzaghi wanted to sign him at Inter Milan last summer. The Swiss international spoke to Italian outlet He revealed the background of the Nerazzurri's reported interest last summer. Advertisement Ricardo Rodriguez joined Real Betis last summer. He arrived at the Spanish club on a free transfer after his contract with Torino had expired. There had been some other transfer links as well, however. There were even reports that Inter had wanted to sign Rodriguez. This came after the Nerazzurri had lost Tajon Buchanan to a serious injury. With the Canadian unavailable to provide cover on the left flank, Inter had the idea to move Carlos Augusto to that position exclusively. Therefore, Inter were searching for a player capable of playing on the left of the back three. Reports named Rodriguez as a target in that respect. Meanwhile, Inter were also reportedly close to signing Juan Cabal before he went to Juventus. Advertisement However, in the end, it was Tomas Palacios who arrived. Real Betis Defender Ricardo Rodriguez: 'Simone Inzaghi Wanted Me At Inter' DUSSELDORF, GERMANY – JULY 06: Ricardo Rodriguez of Switzerland in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between England and Switzerland at Düsseldorf Arena on July 06, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany. (Photo by) At the heart of this whole transfer tug-of-war was the question of whether to sign a younger or more experienced player. Inter owners Oaktree Capital have made little secret of the fact that they want to focus on younger defenders. Meanwhile, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi was reportedly hoping for a reliable veteran as a short-term option. And Ricardo Rodriguez would have certainly been more in line with the latter idea. 'Inter had wanted to sign me because Inzaghi wanted an experienced profile,' he explained. 'But Real Betis were strongly interested in me,' he then noted.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 68: How to watch Usman vs. Buckley, start time, Atlanta lineup, odds, more
UFC on ESPN 68: How to watch Usman vs. Buckley, start time, Atlanta lineup, odds, more Here's what you need to know to watch UFC on ESPN 68 on ESPN and ESPN+. The UFC is in Atlanta for the sixth time (including a 2014 visit to suburban Duluth), and the first time in more than six years this week with UFC on ESPN 68. Here's how to watch UFC on ESPN 68 with a struggling former champion against a surging welterweight in the headlining spot. Broadcast and streaming info UFC on ESPN 68 has a main card that starts at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN. The preliminary card streams on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET. Stay tuned to MMA Junkie later this week for more broadcast details. Main event: Kamaru Usman Record: 20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC 20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC Opponent: Joaquin Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) Joaquin Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) Division: Welterweight Welterweight Key wins: Colby Covington (twice), Jorge Masvidal (twice), Gilbert Burns, Tyron Woodley, Rafael dos Anjos, Demian Maia, Sean Strickland, Leon Edwards Colby Covington (twice), Jorge Masvidal (twice), Gilbert Burns, Tyron Woodley, Rafael dos Anjos, Demian Maia, Sean Strickland, Leon Edwards Misc.: Usman lost the welterweight title with less than a minute left in a 25-minute fight he was dominating against Leon Edwards when an all-time head kick put him on the wrong side of an all-time highlight. He lost a rematch seven months later, then dropped a decision to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight for a third straight loss. He's looking for his first win in nearly four years. Main event: Joaquin Buckley Record: 21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC 21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC Opponent: Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) Division: Welterweight Welterweight Key wins: Colby Covington, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque Colby Covington, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque Misc.: Buckley had his taste of viral success early in his UFC career thanks to an all-time highlight spinning back kick. A two-fight skid is years in the rearview mirror and he's on a six-fight tear with four TKO finishes. Co-main event: Miranda Maverick Record: 15-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC 15-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC Opponent: Rose Namajunas (13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC) Rose Namajunas (13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC) Division: Women's flyweight Women's flyweight Key wins: Jamey-Lyn Horth, Andrea Lee, Gillian Robertson Jamey-Lyn Horth, Andrea Lee, Gillian Robertson Misc.: Maverick has been on one of the nicest runs in the division with four straight wins and victories in six of her past seven fights. Years ago, she came up short against a few bigger names in the division, so a win over a former champ like Namajunas would be a big notch on her belt. Co-main event: Rose Namajunas Record: 13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC 13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC Opponent: Miranda Maverick (15-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) Miranda Maverick (15-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) Division: Women's flyweight Women's flyweight Key wins: Tracy Cortez, Amanda Ribas, Zhang Weili (twice), Jessica Andrade, Joanna Jedrzejczyk (twice) Tracy Cortez, Amanda Ribas, Zhang Weili (twice), Jessica Andrade, Joanna Jedrzejczyk (twice) Misc.: Two-time champion 'Thug' Rose' started her 2024 trip back to title contention right with two wins after back-to-back losses to Carla Esparza – in which she dropped the title – and recent title challenger Manon Fiorot. But this past November, she lost to Erin Blanchfield and now has to work her way back up. UFC on ESPN 68 main card betting odds MAIN CARD (ESPN2/ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET) Cory Sandhagen -485 vs. Deiveson Figueiredo +370 Reinier de Ridder +250 vs. Bo Nickal -310 Santiago Ponzinibbio -120 vs. Daniel Rodriguez +100 Montel Jackson -205 vs. Daniel Marcos +170 Serhiy Sidey -135 vs. Cameron Smotherman +115 Mason Jones -575 vs. Jeremy Stephens +425 UFC on ESPN 68 prelim betting odds PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Spinning Back Clique LIVE (noon ET): Merab Davlishvili & Kayla Harrison's UFC title wins
Check out this week's "Spinning Back Clique," MMA Junkie's weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week's panel of Brian "Goze" Garcia, Nolan King and Danny Segura will join host "Gorgeous" George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate the following topics: Advertisement Two UFC bantamweight titles were on the line Saturday in the headlining bouts of UFC 316. In the main event, Merab Dvalishvili completed his second title defense, submitting Sean O'Malley in their rematch. In the co-main event, Kayla Harrison dethroned Julianna Peña in a swift performance that ended with a kimura. Two big results, two big talking points. We break down the championship results from UFC 316. Outside the two title fights, plenty went down at UFC 316. From former Bellator champion Patchy Mix losing his debut to Mario Bautista, to Joe Pyfer picking up a decision win over Kelvin Gastelum, we discuss and highlight some of the other key results on UFC 316 outside the main and co-main events of the card. The saga of Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall continues. This past week Aspinall claimed that Jones had retired, then Jones called out Francis Ngannou, then Dana White assured that Jones wasn't retired and that he had actually already accepted to fight Aspinall. What's going on? Is this fight happening? We discuss. We finish the show with a preview for Saturday's UFC on ESPN 69 and the return of former champion Kamaru Usman, who takes on rising contender Joaquin Buckley in a key fight at welterweight. Who will win? Will this fight determine the next title challenger at 170 pounds? We discuss the main event, along with other featured bouts. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Spinning Back Clique: Merab Davlishvili & Kayla Harrison's title wins
