This Friday night in Riyadh, Brendan Loughnane looks to become a two-time PFL champion at featherweight. The Brit's 2024 campaign comes to an end when he faces the undefeated Timur Khizriev in the main event in a fascinating match-up.
Loughnane's run in the regular season has consisted of back-to-back finishes against Pedro Carvalho and Justin Gonzales which were followed by a split decision win over Kai Kamaka III. However, what makes his journey to the finals this year so impressive is what happened in 2023.
After defeating the likes of Bubba Jenkins and Chris Wade in 2022 to become the champion, Loughnane looked to do it again for the second time in a row. Having already beaten the top names in his division, he would have been a big favorite to do just that at the start of the next season.
After stopping Marlon Moraes in his first bout, the 35-fight veteran was finished for the first time in his career when he was knocked out by Jesus Pinedo in the opening round with Pinedo going on to win the world championship. After taking the rest of 2023 off, the former champion has since returned with a rejuvenated drive.
Ahead of his return on November 29, Loughnane revealed in a recent interview with Mirror Fighting that after his loss to Pinedo, he contemplated retirement having already set himself and his family up financially by winning the 2022 season. Now, he has the chance to double that by becoming the first of 18 men to beat Khizriev.
It was difficult. I didn't really want to do it again," he said. "I thought 'I'm done with this sport. I've been knocked out, I've got way over $1million in my account. What am I doing this for?' I had to reassess everything, but I've come back and I've shown tenacity in the champion that I am. I've come back and shown everyone that sometimes you get knocked down in life, or knocked out in my case and you've got to come back stronger.