LAS VEGAS – Daniel Pineda defied the doubters and surged into the PFL featherweight final after claiming back-to-back first-round finishes at the PFL 2019: Playoffs 2 event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Pineda (28-13), who went into the playoffs seeded seventh of the eight remaining 145-pounders at the start of the evening, finished Movlid Khaybulaev in just 29 seconds to earn a spot in the semifinals, then submitted Jeremy Kennedy via guillotine choke after four minutes to secure his passage through to the final in New York on New Year’s Eve. Pineda’s latest two finishes extended his remarkable 100% finish rate across 28 career wins and booked his place in the featherweight final, where he will face fellow American Lance Palmer at Madison Square Garden. Chatting to reporters, including MMA Junkie, backstage after the event, the 34-year-old was understandably pleased with his performances. “It went good, I’m very happy,” he said.
Read more: