Professional Fighters League competitor
Gabriel
Braga is receiving support from much of the MMA community after
the death of his father.
Less than a day after his father, Diego
Braga, was killed in Rio de Janeiro, Gabriel
Braga was officially confirmed on the inaugural PFL vs.
Bellator MMA event in Saudi Arabia. Braga is
scheduled to take on Bellator standout Aaron Pico
at 145 pounds in Riyadh on Feb. 24. Many teammates and competitors
have wondered if Braga can compete with a clear mind, given that
his father primarily trained Braga. To help him prepare for the
matchup—providing it stays together—Marcus
Silveira, the head of
American Top Team, told Sherdog that he has offered to train
the 25-year-old for his upcoming engagement.
“Gabriel and Joshua
[Silveira] fought on the same card for the whole 2023 season,”
the coach noted. “And thanks to that and, obviously the fact that
me and Diego were former vale tudo fighters helping our sons to
keep our road and go beyond [where] we could go, me and Diego
created a tight friendship bond. We four had many breakfasts and
lunches together last year, and I ended up inviting Diego and
Gabriel to train with us in 2024.”
“Conan” continued, “I could see the amazing relationship between
Diego and Gabriel, so similar to mine with Joshua. All I can say is
that my heart is totally broken and the doors of ATT are really
open to Gabriel. I feel that as a father’s commitment to Diego. I
truly hope Gabriel takes that tragedy as motivation to keep going.
Something certainly Diego would want him to do. After all, every
father dreams to see the son becoming a champion, and I want
Gabriel to know that we are here willing to help him to make his
father’s dream come true.”