Jesus Pinedo Bio
Jesus Pinedo (born June 22, 1996) is a Peruvian mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Widely known by his ring name “El Mudo,” he captured the 2023 PFL Featherweight Championship and earned a one million dollar collective prize. Standing six feet tall with a 74-inch reach, Pinedo fights out of Lima, Peru, and trains at the Pitbull Martial Arts Center. He has been a professional competitor since 2013 and remains an active contender on the international stage.
Early Life and Background
Jesus Pinedo was born on June 22, 1996, in Callao, Peru, and grew up in the country. From the age of five or six, he dabbled in several contact sports, sporadically practicing judo and karate during school breaks and vacations. Unlike many of his peers who gravitated toward soccer, Pinedo showed an early inclination toward mixed martial arts, a passion that ultimately shaped his athletic path. His involvement in fighting during his youth led his father to enroll him in a pre-military boarding school, an experience that helped channel his energy and discipline.
Around the age of 16 or 17, Pinedo began a close association with coach Iván Ibérico, a renowned figure in Peruvian mixed martial arts. The bond between fighter and mentor proved foundational, anchoring Pinedo’s technical development and competitive mindset. He has credited Ibérico as a steady presence throughout his career, helping him transition from a promising young athlete into a polished professional.
Path to MMA
Pinedo embraced a baptism-by-fire introduction to professional fighting, making his debut just under a month after turning 17. On July 17, 2013, he dispatched Luigi Dapello with first-round punches at a regional event, signaling an aggressive style that would become his trademark. During his teenage years, he stepped into the ring 14 times, compiling a 9–4–1 record while building experience against seasoned regional opponents. This early grind sharpened his skills and prepared him for the larger promotions that would follow.
As “El Mudo,” Pinedo claimed titles in both the 300 Sparta and Inka Fighting Championship organizations, establishing himself as one of Peru’s top featherweight prospects. His crowning pre-UFC moment came in February 2018, when he forced Joackim Pedro Neto Ferreira to tap out to a guillotine choke in the first round to secure the IFC featherweight championship. Just four months later, he added the 300 Sparta featherweight title with a barrage of second-round punches against Carlos Alexadre, cementing his reputation as a finisher.
Jesus Pinedo Career
Early Career (2013–2018)
Pinedo’s formative years on the Peruvian regional circuit were defined by activity and rapid development. He fought frequently, often on short notice, and used each appearance to refine his stand-up game and submission defense. His growing list of regional accolades, including IFC and 300 Sparta titles, drew the attention of major international promotions by late 2018.
The discipline and toughness he displayed in regional competition prepared him for the leap to the global stage. By the time he earned his shot in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Pinedo had already faced a wide variety of styles and demonstrated the resilience that would later define his championship run.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2018–2019)
Pinedo made his UFC debut on short notice, replacing an injured Claudio Puelles against Devin Powell on November 17, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 140. He won the bout via unanimous decision, becoming one of the few Peruvian fighters to debut successfully in the promotion. The victory announced his arrival on the world’s largest mixed martial arts stage.
He returned just four months later, again replacing an injured opponent, this time stepping in for Nasrat Haqparast against John Makdessi on March 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 148. Pinedo lost the fight via unanimous decision in a competitive matchup. Days later, after parting ways with the Iridium Sports agency, the UFC released him, ending a brief but memorable Octagon tenure.
Professional Fighters League Breakthrough (2023–2024)
After winning four straight bouts on the Peruvian regional scene, all by stoppage, Pinedo made his PFL debut against Gabriel Alves Braga on April 1, 2023, at PFL 1. He lost the close bout via split decision but quickly rebounded. On June 8, 2023, at PFL 4, he faced Brendan Loughnane and won via knockout early in the first round, becoming the first fighter ever to finish Loughnane in his professional career.
In the Featherweight semi-finals, Pinedo faced Bubba Jenkins in the main event of PFL 7 on August 4, 2023. After weighing in 0.4 pounds over the limit and starting the bout with a one-point deduction, he rallied to win via TKO in the second round. Heading into the championship final, he rematched Gabriel Alves Braga on November 24, 2023, at PFL 10, avenging his earlier loss with a TKO stoppage at the beginning of the third round to claim the 2023 PFL Featherweight Championship and the one million dollar collective prize. In October 2023, he reached No. 10 in the World Featherweight rankings according to Fight Matrix.
A scheduled crossover bout with Bellator Featherweight Champion Patrício Pitbull on February 24, 2024, at PFL vs. Bellator was scrapped when Pinedo withdrew a week before the fight with a back injury. A planned November 29, 2024, matchup with Jeremy Kennedy at PFL 10 was also canceled after he withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Gabriel Alves Braga.
Pitbull Martial Arts Center Era (2025–Present)
On February 12, 2025, PFL officially revealed that Pinedo had joined the 2025 PFL Featherweight Tournament, signaling his return to championship contention. In the opening round, he faced Ádám Borics at PFL 1 on April 3, 2025, winning via TKO in the first round. He followed that performance in the semifinals with another first-round TKO over Gabriel Braga in a rubber match at PFL 5 on June 12, 2025, extending his mastery of their rivalry.
Pinedo reached the 2025 final and faced Movlid Khaybulaev on August 1, 2025, at PFL 8, where he lost via submission in the fifth round. He returned on February 7, 2026, at PFL Dubai, losing to Salamat Isbulaev via TKO in the first round. As of January 27, 2026, he ranks No. 3 in the PFL featherweight rankings. He is scheduled to face Levy Saúl Marroquín on July 18, 2026, at PFL Austin.
Style and Strengths
Pinedo is recognized for an aggressive striking approach, finishing multiple opponents with first-round knockouts and TKO stoppages across regional and PFL competition. His 74-inch reach and six-foot frame give him a comfortable range advantage at featherweight, while his guillotine choke and ground-and-pound finishing instincts add a dangerous grappling layer. Working alongside longtime coach Iván Ibérico, he has developed the poise and finishing mentality that powered his 2023 championship run.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Pinedo’s signature moments is his first-round knockout of Brendan Loughnane in June 2023, the first finish of Loughnane’s professional career. His 2023 PFL Featherweight Championship win over Gabriel Alves Braga earned him the one million dollar collective prize and a place in Peruvian MMA history. In October 2023, he also cracked the World Featherweight top ten, reaching No. 10 according to Fight Matrix.
Jesus Pinedo Career Wins
Jesus Pinedo has compiled 25 professional victories across regional and international promotions, including the 2023 PFL Featherweight Championship. His finishing ability is a defining trait, with multiple knockout and TKO stoppages against high-caliber opponents.
PFL Highlights
Pinedo’s PFL résumé includes a first-round knockout of Brendan Loughnane in June 2023, a second-round TKO of Bubba Jenkins in the semi-finals, and a third-round TKO of Gabriel Alves Braga in the 2023 championship final. Those three finishes delivered the title and the million dollar prize. Most recently, he opened the 2025 tournament with first-round TKO wins over Ádám Borics and Gabriel Braga before falling in the final against Movlid Khaybulaev.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the PFL, Pinedo captured the IFC featherweight championship in February 2018 with a first-round guillotine choke of Joackim Pedro Neto Ferreira and added the 300 Sparta featherweight title four months later. He also recorded a successful UFC debut against Devin Powell via unanimous decision in November 2018, becoming one of the few Peruvian fighters to win on his first Octagon appearance.
Jesus Pinedo Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Pinedo’s family remains limited, though he has spoken about his father’s role in steering him toward discipline during his youth. His enrollment in a pre-military boarding school reflected the family’s commitment to structure and focus as he pursued martial arts.
Personal Life
Pinedo resides in Lima, Peru, and continues to represent his home country on the international MMA stage. He remains closely tied to his longtime coach Iván Ibérico, a relationship that has shaped his career since his mid-teens.
2025 Season Performance
Jesus Pinedo entered 2025 as a former PFL Featherweight Champion looking to reclaim his title. The promotion officially confirmed his spot in the 2025 PFL Featherweight Tournament on February 12, 2025, setting the stage for a high-stakes return. He opened the bracket with a first-round TKO of Ádám Borics at PFL 1 on April 3, 2025, reestablishing his finishing form.
In the semifinals at PFL 5 on June 12, 2025, Pinedo faced Gabriel Braga in a rubber match and once again prevailed by first-round TKO, settling their trilogy in decisive fashion. The win punched his ticket to the tournament final against Movlid Khaybulaev at PFL 8 on August 1, 2025, where he was submitted in the fifth round. Despite the loss, his two finishes earlier in the bracket reinforced his status as one of the division’s most dangerous strikers.
Heading into the rest of 2025 and beyond, Pinedo ranks No. 3 in the PFL featherweight rankings as of January 27, 2026, and is scheduled to face Levy Saúl Marroquín at PFL Austin on July 18, 2026. With his finishing instincts intact and a championship pedigree behind him, he remains firmly in the title conversation for the next PFL Featherweight Tournament.
