At the Wednesday media day for this week’s 2023 PFL Championship event, Bubba Jenkins made one thing very clear: He doesn’t like Chris Wade, and he’s not about to bury the hatchet with the guy.
Jenkins said it won’t matter what happens in the trilogy – they’re knotted at 1-1 – because what’s not about to happen is a handshake and well wishes.
Now it won’t matter for a while, though. Wade (23-10) on Thursday weighed in at 148.4 pounds, which was 2.4 pounds north of the non-title limit for the featherweight matchup on prelims. Jenkins (21-7) turned down a catchweight fight and a percentage of Wade’s purse for the scale infraction. Instead, Jenkins now will be a featherweight alternate for Friday’s $1 million championship bout between Jesus Pinedo and Gabriel Braga.
PFL officials announced the fight’s cancellation Thursday. The 2023 PFL Championship now will go forward with four prelims, including an amateur bout.
Jenkins and Wade first fought in August 2021 in the featherweight semifinals. Wade defeated Jenkins by unanimous decision. The two fought again in April, when Jenkins got a unanimous decision win.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2023 PFL Championship.
Bubba Jenkins turns down catchweight bout after Chris Wade’s weight miss at 2023 PFL Championship