Pitbull vs Braga Prediction: Pitbull With A Lot to Prove

One of the biggest fights on the PFL vs Bellator fight card has been ruined this weekend but that just means that Patricio Pitbull has even more to prove. The Bellator champion has lost back to back fights and must bounce back.

This one was supposed to be one of four Champion vs Champion fights on the card. Instead the match up has been changed late on. We’ve got all the info in our Pitbull vs Braga prediction right here.

It’s an intriguing fight on a night full of interest as PFL and Bellator enter a new era. We’ll take you through this one in our Patricio Pitbull vs Gabriel Braga prediction.

PFL vs Bellator: Pitbull vs Braga Prediction

Everywhere you look on this PFL vs Bellator card there is something intriguing. It’s rare that two promotions have crossed paths in this way, but we’ve got the takeover of Bellator by their rivals to thank for this. 

Pitbull was meant to be going against PFL champ Jesus Pinedo on Saturday night but instead, he’ll be going up against the man who Pinedo defeated.

With so little time to prepare for his new opponent, will that change the mindset for our Pitbull vs Braga prediction? 

Patricio Pitbull Preview

If PFL buying out Bellator is similar to WWE buying WCW back in 2001 then Pitbull may be the closest thing to ‘the Icon’ Sting that MMA has. Not only is he arguably the greatest star in Bellator’s history but he’s also one of the greatest MMA fighters who hasn’t competed in UFC.

The Brazilian is a three time featherweight champion, and still holds that belt, a one time lightweight champion and only one of two people in Bellator history to hold belts in two weights at the same time. 

Pitbull has a 35-7 overall record in MMA and made his Bellator debut way back in April 2010, with a win over William Romero. His first title fight was in 2013 and his first title win was just under 10 years ago. 

He lost the belt for the second time to A.J. McKee in 2021, which ended a four year stint as champion, but regained in their rematch. However, since then his form has taken a bit of a hit.

The 36-year-old has only made one defense since and has lost his previous two fights, one at bantamweight and one at a catchweight. How will those two losses change our Pitbull vs Braga prediction?

He now returns to featherweight and will be hoping he can prove himself to be the best in the world at the weight.

Gabriel Braga Preview

Braga was always going to be on the PFL vs Bellator card but there is very little doubt that he’s had an upgrade in opponent.

What was supposed to be Champion vs Champion is now Champions vs Runner up. Braga lost to Pinedo in the 2023 PFL championship final. The defeated fighter was stopped less than a minute into the third round.

It was the 25 year old’s first defeat in his MMA career and means that both men in this one come into the bout on the back of a defeat. Whoever can recover best from their recent defeat will likely take the win in our Patricio Pitbull vs Gabriel Braga prediction. 

The Brazilian has far less experience behind him than his fellow countryman going into this one and it will be by far his biggest task and hardest opponent. The same cannot be said for Pitbull. 

Of his 12 wins, seven have come by decision and five by stoppage, with his only defeat also coming by stoppage. Submissions have never been used to end a fight that Braga has been involved in, maybe that could change this weekend. It certainly seems unlikely that he’ll win by that method but he might lose that way. 

Braga was getting ready to fight Aaron Pico so he will be in fighting form but will it be enough to get the victory? 

Patricio Pitbull vs Gabriel Braga Prediction: No Sting In The Tale For Bellator Legend

Last week we saw Alexander Volkanovski fall foul of the over 35 hoodoo in UFC and Putbull is of course 36. There isn’t the same streak for the veterans in Bellator or PFL but it’s worth thinking about.

Like ‘the Great,’ Pitbull was knocked out in his most recent fight, a loss against Chihiro Suzuki at Rizin. That came in the first round of the bout and Bellator legend will be hoping to avoid a repeat. 

Pinedo was also stopped in his most recent outing and that could affect him too, especially considering he’s never faced someone of Pitbull’s level before. 

There isn’t much in the difference of the odds but we’ll lean towards the favorite Pitbull in this one, just because of his experience. Pitbull on the Moneyline is -170.

We think he’ll get it done early too, because the longer it goes the more it favors the younger man. Fight to finish under 2.5 rounds at +180 is our next prediction.