Jesus Pinedo is eager to finally step in the cage, especially because the circumstances are much different.
Pinedo (23-6-1), who just a few years ago was one of the biggest stories in MMA, returns Thursday against Adam Borics (19-2) in a 2025 PFL featherweight tournament quarterfinal fight in Orlando, Fla. "El Mudo" hasn't competed since Nov. 24, 2023, the night he made history by crowning himself PFL featherweight champion and taking home the $1 million prize.
Also becoming the first Peruvian fighter to win a major belt in MMA.
After a series of injuries and canceled bouts, Pinedo finally gets to resume his career. And he's happy to do so with the legalization of elbows in PFL and the removal of the season format.
"For me, everything remains the same, but it is true that they changed the format of the tournament and the rules," Pinedo told MMA Junkie in Spanish. "There are elbows allowed now, which is something I like because I felt like it was a weapon that was taken away from me. In the past fights, I'm someone who likes to use elbows a ton, and now you'll get to see that.
"I'm ready for this format, and I do feel like it's better. You will now see who's the best, not just who wins."
Pinedo has a tough welcome matchup in Borics, a Kill Cliff fighter who is 5-1 in his past six outings, including a victory over Pinedo's friend and former teammate, Enrique Barzola.
The 31-year-old is eager to fight again, and he promises to put away Borics.
"I'm ready. I know that he's a good rival," Pinedo said. "I know he has a good record and has fought very big names, but I'm ready and totally sure that that day I will come out victorious. I will break him."
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for 2025 PFL World Tournament 1.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: PFL's Jesus Pinedo excited to use elbows vs. Adam Borics: 'I will break him'
