Finish or Go Home: Bubba Jenkins Well Aware of 2024 PFL Playoff Scenario

Bubba Jenkins (21-8) is eyeing a first-round finish to make it to the 2024 Professional Fighters League Playoffs.

Jenkins is slated to face Brazilian prospect Gabriel Braga (13-1) in a featherweight clash at 2024 PFL 6 Regular Season on Friday, June 28 at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Jenkins started his 2024 campaign with a unanimous decision loss against Kai Kamaka III this past April, a first for the PFL veteran in four years. Meanwhile, his opponent had an excellent start to the season, knocking out Justin Gonzales in a first-round buzzer-beater on the same card to secure six points.

Having made it to the playoffs in all his previous seasons, Jenkins is now eager to secure a first-round finish over Braga to stay in the field. Jenkins has two first-round submissions in his PFL tenure, both via rear-naked choke, and hopes to earn a third.

“Six points. Quick six, I need it, I gots to have it,” Jenkins said during PFL media day. “I'm fighting an opponent who has his and you know unfortunately I got to go you know take this from what I would consider a friendly acquaintance.

“Same exact training regimen, our mindset is different. We don't have time to fill out and get a game plan as far as like a longevity strategy for the fight. It's go in, get it done, see how quickly we can either get TKO or referee stop it or you know a lock-up a submission and get him up out of there. I have been able to submit guys in the first round a couple of different times and get the quick six, so you know we're trying to look for that third time as a charm and move on. I'm playoff Jenkins, so the fact that I'm behind the eight ball a little bit, it perturbs me, I'm a little vexed.”

The PFL tournament format consists of fighters proceeding to the playoffs based on points accumulated in two regular season matches. Each win is awarded 3 points and a finish earns up to 3 extra points. A first-round finish earns 3 bonus points, a second round finish earns 2 and a third round finish 1.