Jesus Pinedo

Jesus Pinedo (born June 22, 1996) is a Peruvian mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of Professional Fighters League (PFL). He won the 2023 PFL Featherweight Championship. In October 2023, Pinedo reached No. 10 in World Featherweight rankings according to Fight Matrix. As of January 27, 2026, he is #3 in the PFL featherweight rankings.

Background Jesus Pinedo closely associated with coach Iván Ibérico, a renowned MBA figure in Peru, and has maintained a strong bond since the age of 16–17. While martial arts have been a lifelong passion, the individual initially dabbled in various contact sports from the age of 5 or 6, sporadically engaging in disciplines such as judo and karate during vacations or brief periods throughout the year. Unlike his peers who favored soccer, Pinedo's inclination towards mixed martial arts became evident early on, steering their sporting trajectory in a distinct direction. He was involved in fighting in his youth, leading to his father putting him into pre-military boarding school.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Pinedo's handlers embraced the baptism-by-fire approach, leading him to make his professional debut just under a month after his 17th birthday. On July 17, 2013, he showcased his skills by swiftly dispatching Luigi Dapello with first-round punches at a regional event. During his teenage years, Pinedo fearlessly stepped into the ring 14 times, amassing a commendable record of 9–4–1 in those early battles. His name, "El Mudo," has become synonymous with success, as he claimed titles in both the 300 Sparta and Inka Fighting Championship organizations. Pinedo's crowning moment came when he secured the IFC featherweight championship, forcing Joackim Pedro Neto Ferreira to tap out to a guillotine choke in the first round of their February 2018 clash. Just four months later, he added another feather to his cap by clinching the 300 Sparta featherweight title, unleashing a barrage of second-round punches that spelled the end for Carlos Alexadre.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Pinedo made his UFC debut replacing an injured Claudio Puelles against Devin Powell on November 17, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 140, winning the fight via unanimous decision.

Pinedo once again replaced an injured fighter, this time Nasrat Haqparast, against John Makdessi on March 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 148, losing the fight via unanimous decision.

Days after the Peruvian fighter broke ties with the Iridium Sports agency, owned by well-known manager Jason House, the UFC let go of Pinedo.

Professional Fighters League 2023 After winning his next 4 bouts on the Peruvian regional scene all by stoppages, Pinedo made his PFL debut against Gabriel Alves Braga on April 1, 2023 at PFL 1, losing the close bout via split decision.

Pinedo faced Brendan Loughnane on June 8, 2023 at PFL 4. He won the fight via knockout early into the first round, becoming the first fighter to finish Loughnane in his MMA career.

In the Featherweight semi-finals, Pinedo faced Bubba Jenkins in the main event at PFL 7 on August 4, 2023. At weigh-ins, Jesus Pinedo weighed in at 146.4 pounds, 0.4 pounds over the Featherweight limit. He was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to his opponent Jenkins, and he started the bout with a one point subtraction. Pinedo went on to win the bout via TKO in the second round.

Heading into the finals of the featherweight tournament, Pinedo rematched Gabriel Alves Braga on November 24, 2023, at PFL 10. He avenged the previous loss and won the bout by TKO stoppage at the beginning of the third round to win the 2023 PFL Featherweight Championship and $1 million collective dollar prize.

2024 Pinedo was scheduled to face Bellator Featherweight Champion Patrício Pitbull in a 3 round non-title crossover fight, on February 24, 2024, at PFL vs. Bellator. However, Pinedo pulled out a week before the fight with a back injury.

Pinedo was scheduled to face Jeremy Kennedy on November 29, 2024, at PFL 10. However, Pinedo withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Gabriel Alves Braga.

2025 On February 12, 2025, the promotion officially revealed that Pinedo joined the 2025 PFL Featherweight Tournament.

In the opening round, he faced Ádám Borics at PFL 1 on April 3, 2025. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

In the semifinals, Pinedo faced Gabriel Braga in a rubber match at PFL 5 (2025) on June 12, 2025. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

In the final, Pinedo faced Movlid Khaybulaev on August 1, 2025, at PFL 8. He lost the bout via submission in the fifth round.

2026 Pinedo faced Salamat Isbulaev on February 7, 2026, at PFL Dubai: Nurmagomedov vs. Davis, and lost the bout via TKO in the first round.

Pinedo was scheduled to face Levy Saúl Marroquín on July 18, 2026, at PFL Austin, but Marroquín pulled out from the event and was replaced by Joey Ruquet. At the weigh-ins, Pinedo weighed in at 146.8 pounds, 0.8 pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit and he was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Ruquet. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Professional Fighters League 2023 PFL Featherweight Championship Inka Fighting Championship IFC Featherweight Championship (One time) 300 Sparta 300S Featherweight Championship (One time) MMA Fighting 2023 Second Team MMA All-Star

Mixed martial arts record Win

Joey Ruquet TKO (punches and elbows) PFL Austin: Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2

Austin, Texas, United States Loss

Salamat Isbulaev TKO (submission to elbows) PFL Dubai: Nurmagomedov vs. Davis

Dubai, United Arab Emirates Loss

Movlid Khaybulaev Submission (arm-triangle choke) PFL 8 (2025)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Gabriel Braga TKO (punches) PFL 5 (2025)

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Win

Ádám Borics TKO (punches) PFL 1 (2025)

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

Gabriel Braga TKO (punches) PFL 10 (2023)

Washington, D.C., United States Win

Bubba Jenkins TKO (punches) PFL 7 (2023)

San Antonio, Texas, United States Win

Brendan Loughnane KO (knee and punches) PFL 4 (2023)

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Loss

Gabriel Braga Decision (split) PFL 1 (2023)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Genison Lima TKO (punches) Inka FC 33

Lima, Peru Win

Elicardo Silva KO (punches) Arena Global 10

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Kaio Tavares TKO (elbows and punches) Inka FC 33

Lima, Peru Win

Jose Luis Alegre TKO (punches) Iquitos Combat Championship 6

Iquitos, Peru Loss

John Makdessi Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Win

Devin Powell Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Ponzinibbio

Buenos Aires, Argentina Win

Carlos Alexandre TKO (punches) 300 Sparta 26

Lima, Peru Win

Joackim Neto Submission (guillotine choke) Inka FC 27

Lima, Peru Win

Jefferson Angulo Submission (triangle choke) Extreme MMA 11

Cuenca, Ecuador Win

Alonso Verona Submission (triangle choke) Redemption Fighters 3

Lima, Peru Win

Guilherme Cadena TKO (punches) 300 Sparta 12

Lima, Peru Win

Marcelino Cavalcante TKO (punches) 300 Sparta 11

Lima, Peru Loss

Alonso Verona KO (punches) Inka FC: Warriors 5

Lima, Peru Win

Federico Gentiluomo Decision (unanimous) Arena Tour 7

Buenos Aires, Argentina Win

Cicero Coutinho TKO (punches) Inka FC: Warriors 4

Trujillo, Peru Win

Jonathan Ortega TKO (punches) Arena Tour 6

Cordoba, Argentina Win

Sidney Guzman Submission (armbar) Peru FC 19

Lima, Peru Win

Jack Guzman TKO (punches) Inka FC: Warriors 2

Lima, Peru Draw

Jose Zarauz Draw (majority) Peru FC 18

Lima, Peru Loss

Javier Oyarzabal TKO (punches) Arena Tour 3

Buenos Aires, Argentina Loss

Humberto Bandenay Decision (split) Inka FC 26

Lima, Peru Win

Victor Arata Decision (unanimous) Inka FC 25

Lima, Peru Win

Marlon Gonzales Decision (unanimous) 300 Sparta 5

Lima, Peru Loss

Jose Manuel Guevara Decision (unanimous) 300 Sparta 4

Lima, Peru Win

Miguel Morales Decision (unanimous) 300 Sparta 3

Lima, Peru Win

Luigi Dapello TKO (punches) 300 Sparta 2

Lima, Peru