Veteran fighter Chris Wade will replace 2021 PFL champion Movlid Khaybulaev in an upcoming PFL welterweight semifinal match against Gabriel Braga, marking Wade’s fifth advancement to PFL playoffs as he fights for the $1 million grand prize.
Chris Wade holds anticipation as he moves forward into his fifth attempt at the PFL playoffs. The 35-year-old experienced fighter is set to take the place of 2021 PFL champion Movlid Khaybulaev in the upcoming semifinal against Gabriel Braga. Despite the previous unsuccessful seasons in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022, Wade continues to attempt his luck at the prestigious $1 million grand prize once again.
Wade announces his return to the championship with robust enthusiasm. “What’s up everybody? I’ve got breaking news. We are back,” he stated on his Instagram handle. Eagerly preparing to face off Gabriel Braga on August 4 in San Antonio, Texas, he conveyed his excitement. “I’m so amped, you have no idea. I’ve been training my ass off, and destiny is a powerful thing,” he further added. Wade, with a record of 23 wins and 9 losses, clinched the fifth position in the 2023 PFL welterweight regular season.
A review of his previous tournaments highlights both victories and defeats. He won his first bout but lost to the No. 1 seed Bubba Jenkins in the second before he rebounded by halting Ryoji Kudo’s progress in the first round. Regrettably, Wade had only one successful semifinal out of the four he participated in at the PFL tournament. His only win was in 2021, when he defeated Jenkins to reach the finals. Unluckily, he lost against Khaybulaev, missing out on the $1 million prize. On the other hand, Braga, with an undefeated record of 11 wins, had won over the No. 4 seed, Jesus Pinedo, and former UFC title challenger, Marlon Moraes, securing a No. 2 seeding in 2023 regular season playoffs.
The PFL semifinals are set to happen on August 4 at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas, where the featherweight and light heavyweight tournaments will concurrently occur.