Brendan Loughnane Focusing on Second PFL Championship, PPV Super Fights in Future

Brendan Loughnane is always focused on the task at hand, but this time it seems he is letting himself enjoy the journey.

The 2022 Professional Fighters League featherweight champion entered the 2024 season after nearly a year off, and it has been one of his most productive years under the PFL season format. After picking up wins over Pedro Carvalho and Justin Gonzales by finishes in the regular season, Loughnane faced Kai Kamaka III in the playoffs in August and put on quite the showing in a fun battle.

With the three wins this year, Loughnane finds himself in familiar territory with the featherweight championship on the line again, as he will face Timur Khizriev at the 2024 PFL World Championship event on Nov. 29 in Saudi Arabia. Speaking to Sherdog.com, Loughnane discussed his road back to a championship opportunity, the difference in himself two years apart, and what he has planned for the future after the 2024 year concludes. Under the PFL’s season format, the previous year’s accomplishments mean nothing; returning champions, runners-up and complete newcomers start even, knowing that they must win four fights in eight months in order to capture the belt and the $1 million prize. Everyone is on the hunt. The promotion calls it “the toughest challenge in sports,” and with the benefit of experience, Loughnane agrees.

“Tough,” he said. “It’s the hardest thing I can physically do every day, so that’s why I do it. I like to get up in the morning and challenge myself, and there’s nothing better than the PFL season to do that.”

Falling in love with the challenge and the thrill of proving his place as one of the best fighters in the world, Loughnane sees major changes in himself from two years ago. Following his loss to Jesus Pinedo last year, Loughnane recognized that he needed a break. This season, Loughnane returned with a vengeance, and believes he is showcasing his growth and maturity.

“Very much more experienced,” Loughnane said. “When I first won it, it was a complete obsession. I was like ‘There’s no way [I can lose], my family’s future depends on it.’ That’s how I looked at it. This year I just love martial arts, I’m enjoying every fight as it comes. It’s just a totally different outlook and I’ve had the best season of my life.”

In summarizing his season to this point, Loughnane wondered why the referee didn’t stop his fight against Kamaka back in August. He would have a clean sweep against fighters who were part of the Bellator roster, which PFL acquired ahead of the 2024 season, and Loughnane has planted his flag as not only one of the most talented PFL fighters but one of the best examples of what can be accomplished in the promotion. Looking to wrap up 2024 with his second PFL championship, Loughnane maintains that this year will be the last time he competes in the season format. Given all that he has accomplished in the promotion, he believes he is at the point where he deserves marquee matchups and placement on future pay-per-view cards.

“I think that’ll be fun, don’t you?” Loughnane said. “Who wouldn’t want to see Brendan Loughnane vs [Patricio] ‘Pitbull’ or one of these types of fights? Let’s get through Timur in two weeks and we’ll start having those conversations for sure.”

Loughnane was once famously passed over for an Ultimate Fighting Championship roster spot after a victory on Dana White's Contender Series in 2019. Just a few months later, he signed with the PFL and has been a staple of the promotion, elevating his career to new championship heights. It may be the last PFL season for him, but business will continue to thrive for the fighter and the promotion, who have worked so well together over the past five years. First things first, capturing the second world title on Nov. 29, then it’s all about the biggest possible fights that can be made.