British featherweight standout Brendan Loughnane returns to the octagon this Friday in Chicago for the PFL.
After a disappointing defeat last summer Loughnane aims to get back in the win column and return to the elite form that won him the PFL Tournament back in 2022. He faces Pedro Carvalho, a seasoned Bellator veteran in the co-main event and the Mancunian promises a statement.
Brendan Loughnane on Talksport
Speaking with Adam Catterall on the new Talksport MMA channel, Loughnane spoke on the upcoming bout in Chicago after reviewing an immense UFC 300 event. This is what he had to say about his opponent Carvalho,
” I think me and Pedro [Carvalho] are in a very similar position at the minute. If you look at our losses, I lost to the two champions Movlid [Khaybulaev] and [Jesus] Pinedo, you look at his he lost to [Aaron] Pico and [Patricky] Pitbull so we’re kind of like world class level but we have got losses to other world class people. “
He followed up stating ” There’s a statement coming from this man here, it’s been a long camp it’s been a point to prove to myself especially after my last fight had to drag myself off the canvas. ” Back in June 2023 it was a surprising first round TKO defeat to eventual champion Jesus Pinedo that shocked many fans. Loughnane had only ever lost via decision and had never been finished before this.
First TKO Loss
Following on he described his reaction and response in training to the career first TKO loss.
” I’ve never been knocked out ever, I’ve had over 50 fights never been knocked out I’d only ever been dropped once before by [Ryoji] Kudo so it was a proper foreign experience. ” He elaborated with ” So when it happened it took me awhile to process it, and that’s when I got the Conor McGregor training and that kind of fired me up again as we were having great rounds, his backhand tested the chin a few times and I realised the chin does still work. ” Quotes via talkSPORT MMA.
Loughnane has trained with many top UFC stars like Rafael Fiziev and Aljamain Sterling and is currently one of the best fighters outside of the UFC. In the featherweight bracket of the PFL Regular Season has the likes of Brett Johns, Ádám Borics and Timur Khizriev and they all feature this Friday.
Do you think Brendan Loughnane will make a statement?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
