PFL 5: Brendan Loughnane to face Boston Salmon in crucial second round bout
After earning a technical decision victory in his first bout of the 2022 season, Brendan Loughnane will be looking for a finish in his all-important second round bout.
Brendan Loughnane's next test has been officially revealed, with the Mancunian featherweight set to take on former UFC prospect Boston Salmon in a crucial second round bout at PFL 5 on June 24.
Loughnane was dropped for the first time in his career as he earned a technical decision victory over Japan's Ryoji Kudo at PFL 2 in April.
However, despite a tricky first assignment for the Brit, he lost no ground on his featherweight rivals, with all of the opening round winners claiming their victories on the scorecards.
It means that Loughnane knows that a strong performance against Salmon – who lost a unanimous decision to Loughnane's 2021 knockout victim Sheymon Moraes in his opening round matchup – could cement his place in the featherweight playoffs, and a potential homecoming fight in London, England on August 23.
The night will also see a return for Scotland's Stevie Ray. The former UFC lightweight lost on the scorecards to Alexander Martinez in his opening round bout, and now "Braveheart" faces a huge test as he attempts to bounce back and claim a spot in the lightweight playoffs.
Ray will take on former UFC lightweight champion Anthony "Showtime" Pettis in the co-main event, with Pettis already sitting pretty at the top of the lightweight standings. His first-round submission of Ireland's Myles Price in his season opener put him on maximum points from the first round of fights, and a victory of any kind will guarantee his path through to the lightweight playoffs.
Former BAMMA heavyweight champion Stuart Austin will also return to action looking for a big win to revive his fortunes. Austin was finished in the first round by 2021 heavyweight champion Bruno Cappelozza in his opening round bout, and will look to bounce back with a stoppage win of his own against Croatia’s Ante Delija.
PFL 5: Confirmed Fight Card
MAIN CARD
Bruno Cappelozza vs. Matheus Scheffel
Anthony Pettis vs. Stevie Ray
Chris Wade vs. Kyle Bochniak
Renan Ferreira vs. Klidson Abreu
PRELIMS
Ante Delija vs. Stuart Austin
Denis Goltsov vs. Sam Kei
Ali Isaev vs. Jamelle Jones
Bubba Jenkins vs. Saba Bolaghi
Lance Palmer vs. Sheymon Moraes
Brendan Loughnane vs. Boston Salmon
Alejandro Flores vs. Ryoji Kudo