In an unfortunate turn of events, one of the semifinalists on Friday’s opening fight card of the PFL playoffs in San Antonio, Texas, missed weight just one day before the highly anticipated match. Featherweight Jesus Pinedo stepped on the scale at 146.4 pounds, surpassing the weight limit by 0.4 pounds. This oversight may have serious repercussions for Pinedo and could potentially impact the outcome of the final matchup.
The Consequences
As a result of his weight miss, Pinedo faces a financial penalty. He will forfeit 20% of his purse, which undoubtedly stings for any professional fighter. Additionally, if the fight goes the distance, Pinedo will have one point deducted from his score for the league’s purposes. Although this penalty will not affect the official scorecards, it will play a significant role in the PFL’s playoff scenario.
A Potential Twist
In an unusual twist, should the judges score the three-round bout 29-28 in favor of Pinedo, the PFL will treat it as a 28-28 draw. This means that despite a possible victory on the official scorecards, Pinedo would not advance to the final. Instead, his opponent, top seed Bubba Jenkins, would progress due to the first tiebreaker requirement of making weight. This outcome could result in a controversial situation for the featherweight division.
The importance of making weight in professional mixed martial arts cannot be overstated. Fighters must adhere to strict weight limits to ensure fairness in competition. Pinedo’s failure to do so puts him at a disadvantage and raises questions about his professionalism and dedication to the sport. In such a highly competitive arena, there is no room for such errors, and even the slightest deviation from the weight limit can have significant consequences.
While Pinedo’s weight mishap casts a shadow over the featherweight semifinals, it’s worth noting that the other fighters in the division successfully made weight. Gabriel Braga weighed in at 145.8 pounds, while Chris Wade came in at 146 pounds, both within the acceptable limits. Their commitment to meeting the weight requirement showcases their discipline and respect for the sport, setting a positive example for their peers.
In addition to the featherweight division, the four light heavyweights competing in the playoffs also successfully made weight. Josh Silveira, Ty Flores, Marthin Hamlet, and Impa Kasanganay all weighed in under the limit, demonstrating their professionalism and commitment to the sport. With all competitors meeting the weight requirement, the stage is set for an exciting and fair competition in the light heavyweight semifinals.
Despite the weight mishap in the featherweight division, fight fans can still look forward to an action-packed main card on Friday evening. Taking place at the Boeing Center at Tech Point, the event will be broadcasted on ESPN and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET, with preliminary fights airing on ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m. This highly anticipated event promises to showcase the skill and determination of the fighters as they battle for victory in the PFL playoffs.
Pinedo’s weight miss serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the strict weight limits in professional mixed martial arts. This unfortunate incident may have far-reaching consequences for Pinedo and could potentially impact the final outcome of the PFL playoffs. As the remaining fighters prepare to step into the cage, they must remember the lesson learned from Pinedo’s mistake and ensure that they approach their weight management with the utmost professionalism and dedication.
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