Having grown accustomed to the PFL Regular Season format, PFL featherweight Bubba Jenkins knows what it takes to get to the Playoffs and the championship finals.
In 2022 and 2023, Jenkins would come up short and fall to the eventual champions in each respective season, and after the start of the 2024 PFL season did not go his way, he knows the odds are against him, which gives him all he needs to go perform in the second round. Having dropped his first fight of the season to Kai Kamaka in a decision loss, he knows an early finish is the only way to get back to where he’s been the last few seasons.
Desperation for Bubba Jenkins
Bubba Jenkins now comes into the second round needing points and some fortunate happenings in order to make his way back into familiar territory, the PFL Playoffs. Knowing what is in front of him for the taking, Jenkins plans to go all out in his fight against Gabriel Braga.
Speaking to MMASucka.com ahead of his fight Jenkins discussed the implications on the line and his mindset as he looks to once again secure a spot in the 2024 PFL Playoffs. Of note, ahead of their fight at PFL 6, Braga missed weight and has been deducted one point from the season standings, so he will enter the night with five points and Jenkins will enter with none after losing his first fight of the regular season.
“The mindset is what it’s got to be, man,” Jenkins said. “I got to get this fight, I got to get these bonus points. I don’t feel like my season is over, I don’t feel like I’ve done enough yet so I got to get these bonus points and move on to the next round. We’re going to the playoffs. I gotta go in, gotta go aggressive and I gotta go get it done. The points tell me that I’ve got to have it, so we’re gonna go get that.”
Something to prove
Not only knowing what’s at stake heading into the fight, but his familiarity with the PFL Regular Season format, Jenkins understands that due to the circumstances, he will have to go for broke and will not have the luxury as others who could attempt to coast their way into the Playoffs.
“Some guys may be afforded that, some guys can stick to their game plan and let the clock melt away and they’re going to go to the playoffs, regardless,” Jenkins said. “But there’s some guys where there isn’t a game plan, only results of the fight matter and really, you got to get whatever it takes to get yourself up there with enough points to be in the top four. I don’t really have the luxury to stick to a long, drawn-out game plan, we got to go get a knockout or submission very quickly.”
There is no better atmosphere than the second round of the PFL Regular Season were fighters and fans know what is at stake and what needs to happen in order for a playoff berth to be clinched. With that said, there’s no better fighter than Bubba Jenkins to step up and put it all on the line in order to get back to the playoffs.
