Gabriel Braga, an esteemed fighter in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), recently experienced a night filled with intense emotions. The occasion was 2024 PFL 3, where he triumphed for the first time since his father’s death. His victory wasn’t just about winning a fight; it was also about honoring his late father and demonstrating resilience in the face of personal loss.
Braga entered into this fight carrying not only the weight of competition but also that of grief and memory. He had lost his father, who had been one of his biggest supporters throughout his career. This win became more than just another notch on Braga’s belt—it was a tribute to a man who deeply influenced him both as an athlete and as a person.
“In leaving us,” Gabriel said after the match, “he left me very ready.” These words are indicative of how much impact his father had on him🙏 . It is evident that despite losing such an important figure in life, Braga has managed to find strength within himself—a testament to both human spirit and resilience.
The build-up to this match wasn’t easy for Braga considering it was going to be his first without having his dad around. There were moments full of doubt and anxiety but ultimately what shone through was determination—determination to make every punch count for something more significant than just points on scorecards.
When asked about how he prepared mentally for this challenge, Gabriel shared that he kept reminding himself why he started fighting in the first place: To honor those who believed in him when no one else did—and at top amongst them all stood none other than his late father.
As soon as Gabriel stepped inside the ring on that fateful night at 2024 PFL 3 event, there seemed like two fights happening simultaneously—one physical inside four walls involving punches & takedowns while another emotional outside those walls playing out between memory & reality.
With every punch he threw, Gabriel seemed to be reaching out to a past which was no longer there but still remained deeply ingrained within him. And with every hit that he took, it felt as if he was absorbing the pain of loss and channeling it into strength.
When the final bell rang, signaling Braga’s victory, one could see a mix of emotions on his face—relief at having won under such emotionally charged circumstances and sorrow for not being able to share this moment with his father.
In the end, though this fight marked another win in Gabriel Braga’s professional record—it meant so much more than just that. It represented resilience in the face of adversity; it showcased how an individual can take personal grief & turn it into motivation; and above all else—it served as a poignant reminder about how our loved ones continue influencing us even after they’re gone.
Braga’s journey is far from over. This win has shown him—and everyone watching—that even when faced with personal tragedy, we can find strength within ourselves to carry on and keep fighting. As Gabriel continues down his path in PFL—with each future match carrying its own challenges—he will undoubtedly remember this night: The night where he fought victoriously for both himself and for those who are no longer here physically but forever present in spirit.
