Second time's the charm? Brendan Loughnane eyes 2022 PFL featherweight glory
After making it to the semi-finals of the PFL's 2021 featherweight season, England's Brendan Loughnane is back, and he's gunning for championship gold in 2022.
With a quarter-century of professional fights under his belt. Brendan Loughnane is ready to make his second tilt at the PFL's featherweight championship.
A few years ago Mancunian was long viewed as one of – if not, the – best British fighter not signed to one of the major international fight promotions and, after a late takedown in his dominant victory over Bill Algeo on the Contender Series convinced UFC president Dana White the Brit wasn't for him, fans were in uproar.
However, it didn't take long for Loughnane to find a spot with a major promotion, as he inked a deal with the PFL, and swiftly picked up back-to-back victories in showcase fights during the organisation's 2019 season.
Loughnane was all set to compete in the PFL's 2020 campaign, only for the COVID-19 pandemic to halt the promotion's plans for that season. It left him on the shelf with nothing but a stipend and a boatload of frustration to get him through the year.
With restrictions eased sufficiently to allow the PFL to resume its competition in 2021, Loughnane embarked on his first tilt at a major title, and he kicked things off with a bang on his season debut.
A memorable season
The Brit made a huge statement with a blistering finish of former UFC athlete Sheymon Moraes, then in his next fight engaged in one of the PFL's best bouts of the year as he claimed a majority decision win over Tyler Diamond after an all-out slugfest.
It meant that Loughnane stood just two wins from the featherweight championship and a cheque for $1 million. But his run came to an end against Russia's Movlid Khaybulaev, who edged a split decision to eliminate the Brit before going on to win the championship and the seven-figure prize.
While his first season in the PFL ultimately saw him fall agonisingly short of the championship, Loughnane's performances made him one of the stars of the organisation, with fans won over by his easy confidence on the mic and exciting fighting style in the PFL Smart Cage.
Back for more
Now, Loughnane is back, and ready to launch his second tilt at featherweight glory. The PFL has bolstered its 145-pound lineup, but defending champion Khaybulaev has been ruled out due to injury.
The field includes the PFL’s 2018 and 2019 featherweight champion Lance Palmer, ex-Brave CF champion Bubba Jenkins and last year's defeated finalist Chris Wade. There's also a group of new names who have joined the fray, and Loughnane will face one of them – former Shooto featherweight title challenger Ryoji Kudo – in his first bout of the new season.
Loughnane’s career record currently sits at 21-4, and as he makes his final preparations for fight night, he knows the task that lies ahead of him. One featherweight will claim four consecutive victories, capture the 2022 championship and bank a million-dollar payday. Loughnane is determined to be that man.
Loughnane’s bout with Kudo takes place on Thursday at PFL 2 at the Esports Arena in Arlington, Texas, on a fight card that also features a second Brit, former BAMMA heavyweight champion Stuart Austin. Austin will compete in his first PFL regular-season bout when he takes on 2021 heavyweight champion Bruno Cappelozza in the main event.
The stage is set
While Loughnane spent the winter sharpening his skills ahead of the new season, the PFL also made a major move to help more British fans connect with the product.
The organisation's deal with Channel 4 in the UK was a major step forward for both the promotion and the UK broadcaster, who picked up a major MMA contract for the very first time, and committed to showing all of the PFL's events using a combination of their linear TV and online platforms.
The main card of PFL 2, featuring Loughnane and Austin, will be shown live on Channel 4 TV on Thursday night, starting at 2:00am. PFL officials have shrewdly spread their bet with their deployment of the Brits on the fight card, too.
Originally set to be the co-main event, Loughnane's bout with Kudo has been brought forward and will now serve as the main card opener. It means that there is a Brit at the beginning and the end of the main card, so whether fans opt to stay up late to catch Loughnane's fight, or wake up early to watch Austin's, there's a homegrown fighter to support either way.
The entire event will also be available via catch-up and on the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel.
PFL 2: Official Fight Card
MAIN CARD (2am, Channel 4 TV)
Bruno Cappelozza vs. Stuart Austin
Ante Delija vs. Matheus Scheffel
Renan Ferreira vs. Jamelle Jones
Brendan Loughnane vs. Ryoji Kudo
PRELIMS (11pm, Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel)
Lance Palmer vs. Chris Wade
Bubba Jenkins vs. Jo Sungbin
Denis Goltsov vs. Sam Kei
Ali Isaev vs. Klidson Abreu
Sheymon Moraes vs. Boston Salmon
Alejandro Flores vs. Saba Bolaghi