Tag: Brendan Loughnane

‘He’s Touching Billionaire Status…’ – PFL Star & Conor McGregor’s Sparring Partner Feels UFC 303 Withdrawal Showed ‘Maturity’

MMA fans had to wait a long time before there was concrete news about the return of Conor McGregor. There was plenty of questions during this time about whether he would ever comeback, how much he still has left to give to the sport and so on. When McGregor announced his withdrawal from the UFC […]

Continue Reading ‘He’s Touching Billionaire Status…’ – PFL Star & Conor McGregor’s Sparring Partner Feels UFC 303 Withdrawal Showed ‘Maturity’ at MMA News.

MMA fans had to wait a long time before there was concrete news about the return of Conor McGregor.

There was plenty of questions during this time about whether he would ever comeback, how much he still has left to give to the sport and so on.

When McGregor announced his withdrawal from the UFC 303 main event against Michael Chandler, some took this in combination with the long wait and posed another theory regarding whether “The Notorious” was ever going to actually fight on June 29.

Having trained with the Irishman throughout his comeback process, PFL’s Brendan Loughnane strongly disagrees with any sentiment that McGregor doesn’t have that same passion for competition anymore.

Brendan Loughnane Says Conor McGregor Still Has The Same Fire & Was Correct To Pull Out Of UFC 303

Loughnane, who is set to return at PFL 9 on August 23, has spent a lot of solid time around McGregor in the past year specifically.

Having trained alongside “The Mac” as he was looking to make a return to the Octagon, he believes that McGregor is still just as motivated to compete as ever before but pulling out of UFC 303 due to his broken toe was the right call.

Loughnane drew attention to the fact that the former UFC champ-champ never needs to fight again so putting himself through a training camp in the first place should tell you all you need to know about where he’s at regarding the current status of his career.

“This guy is hungry for it, he doesn’t have to do this now, he’s touching billionaire status. He’s doing this out of the love of the sport, guy loves it through and through, he’s a martial artist. He wakes up every day, this is what lights the fire inside people like him and me.

and the fact that he got the injury and he pulled out shows me that he’s in a good place because it’s like going through these fights injured for what? He’s done it before, it’s well documented that he’s done it many times before. Do it when you’re healthy, there’s so much on the line now.”

Loughnane, like many others have, made reference to how McGregor’s injury that led to such a long time away from the Octagon was caused by him going into the third fight with Dustin Poirier with an existing injury that cost him the fight.

He believes that with this in mind, it was the correct decision to make on this occasion.

“I’m glad that he did it, it’s showing maturity and I can’t wait for his comeback.”

Continue Reading ‘He’s Touching Billionaire Status…’ – PFL Star & Conor McGregor’s Sparring Partner Feels UFC 303 Withdrawal Showed ‘Maturity’ at MMA News.

Video – Dan Hardy left in despair following Brendan Loughnane’s shocking KO loss at PFL 4

dan hardyDan Hardy was in shock after Brendan Loughnane was finished by huge underdog Jesus Pinedo last night at PFL 4. Last night, the PFL held an event in Atlanta Georgia, headlined by homegrown talent and the winner of last years featherweight tournament, Loughnane. The Manchester born fighter enjoyed an incredible 2022, capping it off with […]

dan hardy

Dan Hardy was in shock after Brendan Loughnane was finished by huge underdog Jesus Pinedo last night at PFL 4.

Last night, the PFL held an event in Atlanta Georgia, headlined by homegrown talent and the winner of last years featherweight tournament, Loughnane. The Manchester born fighter enjoyed an incredible 2022, capping it off with an impressive win over Bubba Jenkins in the final of the tournament, and decided to re-enter the tournament this year.

Loughnane was tipped to win heading into the tournament as well as being a -500 favrioute last night over Pinedo. Unfortunately for Loughnane, Pinedo would catch him with a knee that would be the beginning of the end, finishing it up with ground and pound before the referee called a halt to the contest. The 33-year-old is now out of the tournament while Pinedo advances to the next step.

Dan Hardy reacts to Brendan Loughnane knockout loss at PFL 4

On commentary last night was Dan Hardy, a former UFC title challenger turned analyst and commentor, who has flourished in his duties since his competitive retirement. Hardy perfectly encapsulated of the shock of the finish last night.

Hardy, a fellow Brit, had spoken highly of Loughnane before and praised him in an intervierw with Fighters Only Magazine when discussing his role within PFL

“The fact that we’ve already got Brendan Loughnane, who’s already won the featherweight world championship, he’s already walked that path, so European fighters can already see that it’s possible,” Hardy said.

“Through all the adversity that he went through, as well, from not getting signed to the UFC when he should have been, and the criticism of his decision-making, he’s shown himself to be a world-class athlete right now, and he’s got the money and the belt to prove it. So he’s already done that for the European fighters.

Did you react like Dan Hardy?

Video – Dan Hardy left in despair following Brendan Loughnane’s shocking KO loss at PFL 4

dan hardyDan Hardy was in shock after Brendan Loughnane was finished by huge underdog Jesus Pinedo last night at PFL 4. Last night, the PFL held an event in Atlanta Georgia, headlined by homegrown talent and the winner of last years featherweight tournament, Loughnane. The Manchester born fighter enjoyed an incredible 2022, capping it off with […]

dan hardy

Dan Hardy was in shock after Brendan Loughnane was finished by huge underdog Jesus Pinedo last night at PFL 4.

Last night, the PFL held an event in Atlanta Georgia, headlined by homegrown talent and the winner of last years featherweight tournament, Loughnane. The Manchester born fighter enjoyed an incredible 2022, capping it off with an impressive win over Bubba Jenkins in the final of the tournament, and decided to re-enter the tournament this year.

Loughnane was tipped to win heading into the tournament as well as being a -500 favrioute last night over Pinedo. Unfortunately for Loughnane, Pinedo would catch him with a knee that would be the beginning of the end, finishing it up with ground and pound before the referee called a halt to the contest. The 33-year-old is now out of the tournament while Pinedo advances to the next step.

Dan Hardy reacts to Brendan Loughnane knockout loss at PFL 4

On commentary last night was Dan Hardy, a former UFC title challenger turned analyst and commentor, who has flourished in his duties since his competitive retirement. Hardy perfectly encapsulated of the shock of the finish last night.

Hardy, a fellow Brit, had spoken highly of Loughnane before and praised him in an intervierw with Fighters Only Magazine when discussing his role within PFL

“The fact that we’ve already got Brendan Loughnane, who’s already won the featherweight world championship, he’s already walked that path, so European fighters can already see that it’s possible,” Hardy said.

“Through all the adversity that he went through, as well, from not getting signed to the UFC when he should have been, and the criticism of his decision-making, he’s shown himself to be a world-class athlete right now, and he’s got the money and the belt to prove it. So he’s already done that for the European fighters.

Did you react like Dan Hardy?

PFL Champion: Only One Active UFC Fighter Bigger Star Than Sean O’Malley

Sean O’Malley had clear star potential from the moment that he impressed Dana White with his Contender Series debut that earned him a UFC contract. Having been the main event in his last two outings where he won the bantamweight title and defended it, “Suga” is back to headline his biggest event to date. At […]

Continue Reading PFL Champion: Only One Active UFC Fighter Bigger Star Than Sean O’Malley at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley had clear star potential from the moment that he impressed Dana White with his Contender Series debut that earned him a UFC contract.

Having been the main event in his last two outings where he won the bantamweight title and defended it, “Suga” is back to headline his biggest event to date.

At UFC 306 this weekend, he will be the last man to walk out at a historic event hosted inside the Sphere for Noche UFC.

Given the demographic that O’Malley is able to connect with and his polarizing qualities, there’s no denying that he’s one of the biggest names in the sport right now.

However, a former PFL winner recently made the case for why there is another fighter on the roster that is currently the brightest active star that the promotion has.

Brendan Loughnane Says Ilia Topuria Is A Bigger Star Than Sean O’Malley Right Now

Ilia Topuria put in some incredible performances during his path to becoming featherweight champion.

After capping that off by stopping Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298, “El Matador” really cemented himself as one of the top names in the UFC right now.

What some fans may not have realized at the time is the amount of support he has in Europe from both his Spanish and Georgian fans.

This was proven in front of our very eyes when he took the belt back home to Spain and walked out, as the champion, in front of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid.

Looking at social media numbers alone, Topuria has a bigger following on Instagram with 4.5 million to O’Malley’s 4.3 million, despite the fact that “Suga” has been a notable name in the UFC for longer.

On a recent episode of Uncaged by talkSPORT MMA, 2022 PFL featherweight champion and 2024 finalist Brendan Loughnane made the case for why Topuria takes the top spot right now.

“Do you know what? There’s one man that we’re missing out on here that’s totally missed the conversation. Ilia Topuria, I’d put above him [O’Malley] right now, I really would. He’s walking out at the Bernabéu! Ilia Topuria has just knocked out our guy Volk who is pound-for-pound, wherever you put him, he’s in that conversation. He’s doing the same thing that Sean’s doing. I’ve never seen anyone captivate an audience quite like, well obviously bar Conor McGregor, let’s take Conor McGregor out of this, I would put Ilia above Sean O’Malley right now. Just due to the fact of the way he finished Volk.

“Sean’s got great finishes along the way, he’s obviously finished Sterling and all that but I’m talking personally. I just, this Ilia Topuria thing and the train that’s moving at the minute, again I don’t want to keep going on about this Bernabéu thing but do you know how big, well I know you know, but that is humongous and I just know what’s going on because I have the same manager as this guy. I know the type of deals he’s getting, I know the type of circles he’s moving in, he’s had less fights than Sean in the UFC I believe and I just feel like his train is moving a little bit faster at the minute, maybe I’m completely wrong.”

Read also: Dana White Responds To ‘Experts’ Criticizing Noche UFC: ‘Talked About That UFC 300 Wasn’t A Good Card!’

Continue Reading PFL Champion: Only One Active UFC Fighter Bigger Star Than Sean O’Malley at MMA News.

PFL Announces 2024 Playoff Main Cards, Former Bellator Champ Replaced In Semifinal

Following the conclusion of the promotion’s latest global regular season, the lineups are set for this year’s PFL Playoffs. 2024 was always going to be a big one for the PFL, as it marks the first season since it acquired a rival promotion in Bellator. After kicking off the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a […]

Continue Reading PFL Announces 2024 Playoff Main Cards, Former Bellator Champ Replaced In Semifinal at MMA News.

Following the conclusion of the promotion’s latest global regular season, the lineups are set for this year’s PFL Playoffs.

2024 was always going to be a big one for the PFL, as it marks the first season since it acquired a rival promotion in Bellator. After kicking off the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a cross-brand event and commencing its sophomore PFL Europe campaign in Paris, eyes turned to the global season.

And having hosted six events across April and June, the brackets for the 2024 PFL Playoffs were decided, and the main cards are now set.

A recent press release announced which semifinals will feature in main event slots, as well as the order below them.

PFL Playoffs 1: Goltsov vs. Johnson (August 2)

This year’s PFL playoffs will kick off with heavyweight and women’s flyweight action at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 2.

In the main event, PFL veteran Denis Goltsov makes his bid for a second championship final in what will be his fourth semifinal appearance. The Russian has worked his way back to the postseason courtesy of knockout wins over Linton Vassell and Thiago Santos. He’ll next face Tim Johnson, whose six-point finish of Danilo Marques saw him secure a playoff place in his SmartCage debut.

The other heavyweight semifinal has undergone a change. In the second fight of the night, Linton Vassell will battle Oleg Popov for a place in the final. The former didn’t qualify in the top four spots but has been handed a chance at redemption following an injury to former interim Bellator champion Valentin Moldavsky.

Co-headlining for the women’s flyweights will be Dakota Ditcheva, who breezed to top-seed status in the regular season by extending her perfect professional record with crushing TKOs against Lisa Mauldin and Chelsea Hackett. She’s next set for her toughest test to date opposite Jena Bishop.

Opening the main card, meanwhile, will be an intriguing semifinal matchup between two flyweight elites in ex-UFC title challenger Taila Santos and Bellator champ Liz Carmouche, both of whom recorded consecutive wins to secure their playoff spots.

Main Card (9 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+):

  • Heavyweight Playoffs Main Event: Denis Goltsov (34-8) vs. Tim Johnson (18-9) 
  • Women’s Flyweight Playoffs Co-Main Event: Dakota Ditcheva (12-0) vs. Jena Bishop (7-1)
  • Heavyweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Oleg Popov (18-1) vs. Linton Vassell (25-9) 
  • Women’s Flyweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Liz Carmouche (22-7) vs. Taila Santos (21-3) 

PFL Playoffs 2: Kasanganay vs. Silveira (August 16)

The second stop in the PFL’s postseason sees the SmartCage head to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, for light heavyweight and lightweight fights on August 16.

In the main event, Impa Kasanganay continues his pursuit of a second straight PFL championship against the man at the expense of whom he captured the 205-pound crown in 2023, Josh Silveira. The other light heavyweight contest comes in the co-headliner, with 2022 title winner Rob Wilkinson battling Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov.

Opening the main card on August 16 will be the always entertaining Clay Collard, whose quest for a first PFL title must next go through former Bellator standout Brent Primus. Elsewhere in that division, Gadzhi Rabadanov and Michael Dufort will share the cage.

Main Card (9 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+):

  • Light Heavyweight Playoffs Main Event: Impa Kasanganay (17-4) vs. Josh Silveira (13-3)
  • Light Heavyweight Playoffs Co-Main Event: Rob Wilkinson (19-2) vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (23-7-1)
  • Lightweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Gadzhi Rabadanov (22-4-1) vs. Michael Dufort (13-5) 
  • Lightweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Brent Primus (14-3) vs. Clay Collard (25-13) 

PFL Playoffs 3: Loughnane vs. Kamaka III (August 23)

The featherweights and welterweights will round out the semifinal action at The Anthem in Washington D.C. on August 23.

In the main event, 2022 featherweight kingpin Brendan Loughnane looks to continue his momentum from a strong regular season en route to another dose of PFL success. To do so, he must stall the charge of Kai Kamaka III, who is looking to capture the $1 million check in his first taste of season action. The other featherweight semifinal sees 2023 finalist Gabriel Braga tasked with blemishing the perfect record of Timur Khizriev.

Co-headlining the August 23 card will be Magomed Umalatov, whose submission of Brennan Ward last time out has left him as a potential favorite in the eyes of many. He’ll look to further prove those predictions right by eliminating South Africa’s Don Madge from the equation. Opening the main card at 170 pounds, meanwhile, is a rematch between the undefeated Shamil Musaev and Murad Ramazanov. While the latter was knocked out by his fellow countryman in June, his first regular season bout was enough to keep him inside the divisional top four.

Main Card (9 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+):

  • Featherweight Playoffs Main Event: Brendan Loughnane (29-5) vs. Kai Kamaka (14-5-1) 
  • Welterweight Playoffs Co-Main Event: Magomed Umalatov (16-0) vs. Don Madge (11-5-1) 
  • Featherweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Gabriel Braga (14-1) vs. Timur Khizriev (16-0) 
  • Welterweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Shamil Musaev (18-0-1) vs. Murad Ramazanov (12-1)

Continue Reading PFL Announces 2024 Playoff Main Cards, Former Bellator Champ Replaced In Semifinal at MMA News.

Brendan Loughnane responds to Charles Rosa call out following $1 million win: “Crawl back under the rock you punchbag.”

Brendan LoughnaneNewly crowned PFL featherweight champion Brendan Loughnane has fired back at the UFC’s Charles Rosa’s following his recent call-out. Loughnane fulfilled a lifelong mission this past weekend when he captured PFL gold following a fourth-round TKO of Bubba Jenkins. The win would also see the Mancunian receive a $1 million cheque as every PFL tournament […]

Brendan Loughnane

Newly crowned PFL featherweight champion Brendan Loughnane has fired back at the UFC’s Charles Rosa’s following his recent call-out.

Loughnane fulfilled a lifelong mission this past weekend when he captured PFL gold following a fourth-round TKO of Bubba Jenkins. The win would also see the Mancunian receive a $1 million cheque as every PFL tournament winner does.

Many around the MMA world, particularly in the UK scene, would take time to congratulate Loughnane on his win, with some sharing personal anecdotes about the 32-year-old. Even former UFC champion, Conor McGregor would post a glowing message for Loughnane.

“UFC, sign Brendan Loughnane. Exciting fighter. A back story with the company. And of the European side. A money in the bank uk/Europe signing. Congrats on the win” – Conor McGregor

Brendan Loughnane exchanges with Charles Rosa

While many were happy to see the Loughnane’s success, UFC featherweight Charles Rosa seemed to take exception to it. The 36-year-old would tweet following the fight, claiming that he was better and frustrated that he does not get anywhere near the pay that Loughnane just received.

“I see PFL MMA is giving out million dollar checks,” Rosa said. “I’ll beat the champ right now! No-Name Loughnane. How do you think a UFC fighter does against current 145lb PFL champ Rosa vs. Loughnane? Put up a million, who ya got?

“How would you feel after 10 years blood sweat and tears working at a place and the guy in company next to you who isn’t as good as your is getting paid 10x more? Be real.” (H/T MMA Mania)

It wouldn’t take long for Loughnane to respond, sounding off on Rosa for his comments.

“You are one salty little b—h. I have no idea who you are. I had to Google you and realized you’re the one that my boy @The Prospect MMA (Nathaniel Wood) punched around the cage. Crawl back under the rock you punchbag.”– Brendan Loughnane

With the win, Loughnane’s stock has risen tremendously, and finds himself in a great position, seemingly coming into his prime and now with more finical freedom.

Who would win, Brendan Loughnane or Charles Rosa?