Preview: 2023 PFL 1 ‘Loughnane vs. Moraes’

Two of the Professional Fighters League’s defending champions will be center stage when the 2023 season begins.

Reigning featherweight king Brendan Loughnane will headline the festivities when he faces former World Series of Fighting titleholder Marlon Moraes in the PFL 1 main event on Saturday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, 2022 breakout performer and defending light heavyweight champ Rob Wilkinson will welcome ex-Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger Thiago Santos to the PFL SmartCage in the co-headliner. It is an intriguing way to kick off the latest chase for $1 million in a new PFL campaign. PFL 1 features featherweights and light heavyweights, with the main card airing on ESPN and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and prelims streaming to ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

Now to the PFL 1 “Loughnane vs. Moraes” preview:

Featherweights

Brendan Loughnane (25-4, 8-1 PFL) vs. Marlon Moraes (23-11-1, 0-1 PFL)

ODDS: Loughnane (-650), Moraes (+425)

Loughnane has come a long way since being best known as the guy who was snubbed for a contract by UFC President Dana White for shooting a late takedown in his victory over Bill Algeo on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019. The Englishman has gone 8-1 under the PFL banner since then, capturing the league’s 2022 featherweight title in the process. Loughnane looked underwhelming in regular-season wins over Ryoji Kudo and Ago Huskic, but he was in peak form by the postseason, which was reflected in complete triumphs against Chris Wade and Bubba Jenkins. The 33-year-old Loughnane is a well-traveled veteran of the sport who seems to be at the peak of his powers. He works behind an educated jab, intelligent movement and can switch stances to keep his opponents off-balance. Additionally, Loughnane has decent power in his right hand and blends in a variety of kicks to his offensive arsenal. His leg kicks, in particular, were a key weapon in dispatching Jenkins in the 2022 PFL final. Loughane is well-versed enough in wrestling and grappling to defend takedowns or get back to his feet on most occasions.

Moraes, meanwhile, ended a short-lived retirement to sign with the PFL late in 2022. He entered his organizational debut having lost four consecutive UFC bouts via knockout or technical knockout, and that trend continued against Sheymon Moraes, as he was finished in the third frame after clearly banking the first two rounds on the scorecards. That fight was similar to many of Moraes’ recent defeats in one sense: He was winning right up until he was not. The former World Series of Fighting champion is dangerous enough to hurt opponents with his striking, but his chin is not nearly sturdy enough to hold up in a firefight. This seems like a brutal matchup for Moraes. Not only is he moving up a division, but he is doing so against a durable opponent with a five-inch reach advantage and plenty of momentum. Loughnane has the tendency to start slow, which could work in Moraes’ favor, but it is difficult to trust the Brazilian’s durability at this point in his career. Loughnane has the tools to win on points, but he is dangerous enough to finish his opponent, as well. Look for the Englishman to keep rolling with a second- or third-round finish.

Continue Reading » Wilkinson vs. Santos