The official weigh-ins took place in San Antonio ahead of the PFL's first Playoff event of 2023, with one of the four featherweight contenders failing to make the required weight for his semi-final matchup.
Jesus Pinedo, who blasted his way into the final four with a shock knockout of 2022 champion Brendan Loughane, is all set to face top seed Bubba Jenkins in the main event of PFL 7 in Texas, but now finds himself with a mountain to climb after failing to make the featherweight limit for his bout.
Pinedo came in at 146.4 pounds, meaning he'll start the matchup in San Antonio with a one-point deduction from his scorecard. He also had to forfeit 20 percent of his fight purse. Jenkins, meanwhile, came in at 145.8 pounds to make weight for the bout.
The card features the semi-finals of the featherweight and light heavyweight seasons, with 205-pounders Josh Silveira and Ty Flores both making weight successfully for their co-main event matchup.
The other featherweight semi-final will see last season's semi-finalist Gabriel Braga set to take on former 2021 finalist Chris Wade, who gets a second crack at success this season due to Movlid Khaybulaev's enforced withdrawal from the Playoffs due to injury. Wade, the fifth-ranked featherweight after the regular season, was the next man in line, and is now back in contention. Both Braga and Wade had no problems on the scale as they made 145.8 and 146 pounds, respectively to make their bout official.
The final light heavyweight semi will see 2021 runner-up Martin Hamlet look to become a two-time PFL finalist when he faces PFL Challenger Series contract winner and former UFC prospect Impa Kasanganay. Hamlet hit the light heavyweight limit of 206 pounds for the bout while former middleweight Kasanganay came in with weight to spare, at 203.8 pounds.
PFL 7: Official weigh-in results
MAIN CARD
- Bubba Jenkins (145.8) vs. Jesus Pinedo (146.4*) – featherweight semi-final
- Joshua Silveira (204.0) vs. Ty Flores (205.0) – light heavyweight semi-final
- Gabriel Braga (145.8) vs. Chris Wade (146.0) – featherweight semi-final
- Marthin Hamlet (206.0) vs. Impa Kasanganay (203.8) – light heavyweight semi-final
- Elvin Espinoza (155.6) vs. Keoni Diggs (156.4**)
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Thad Jean (171.0) vs. Ali Omar (171.0)
- Desiree Yanez (125.0) vs. Lisa Mauldin (125.2)
- Anthony Ivy (171.0) vs. Carson Hardman (168.2)
- Chelsea Hackett (125.8) vs. Ky Bennett (124.8)
- Billy Elekana (205.4) vs. Chuck Campbell (205.8)
* Pinedo missed weight. The bout will move forward at a catchweight. Pinedo will forfeit 20 percent of his purse to Jenkins
** Diggs missed weight. The bout will move forward at a catchweight. Diggs will forfeit 20 percent of his purse to Espinoza
PFL rule clarification: Making weight
Per the PFL's official 2023 rules and regulations:
If a fighter misses weight, and is able to compete, the bout may move forward as scheduled at PFL’s sole discretion. The fighter who missed weight will be deducted 1 point on the final judges’ scorecards should the fight go to decision, and will be forced to surrender 20 percent of their total show purse to their opponent. The fighter who made weight will earn their total contracted show purse, plus an extra 20 percent from their opponent’s show purse. Both fighters will be eligible to earn their full win purse and advance based on the outcome of the fight. If the fight ends in a draw, the fighter who made weight advances.
