Brendan Loughnane – Page 3 – Syndication Server

Jesus Pinedo hopeful to make PFL playoffs, out to finish Brendan Loughnane ‘from the very first second’

Jesus Pinedo is confident he can stop Brendan Loughnane and make it to the 2023 PFL playoffs.

[autotag]Jesus Pinedo[/autotag] knows he has a tough road to make it into the 2023 PFL playoffs, but he’s not sweating it.

A first-round finish on Thursday would put the Peruvian fighter in a solid position to make the playoffs. However, Pinedo (20-6-1), who currently has zero points in the standings, has to do it against 2022 PFL featherweight champion [autotag]Brendan Loughnane[/autotag] in the main event of PFL 2023, Week 4 in Atlanta, Georgia.

After dropping a close split decision at 2023 PFL 1 to Gabriel Alves Braga, Pinedo knows what needs to get done, and believes he won’t have to change his style to achieve it.

“We always train finishing the fight whether it’s in the first, second or third,” Pindedo told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “We don’t wait. We don’t expect to go to a decision because of situations like last time.

“I felt I won the fight. Everyone thinks I won the fight, but they gave it to my rival. But oh well, those are things that happen. We’re ready for our rival, and we have all the motivation in the world to go out there and finish the fight from the very first second.”

Loughnane (26-4) is coming off a TKO win over former UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes this past April. Pindedo liked what he saw, but says it’s comparable to the rest of the division.

“He’s a good fighter,” Pinedo said when asked to analyze Loughnane. “He’s a tough fighter, just like all the fighters in the season. There’s no easy fights here. I see that he’s a striker. His best weapon are the kicks, and we’ve worked on that. We simply came here not to see what happens, but to win. Thursday, you guys will see that.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 4.

Brendan Loughnane hopes to cross paths with Movlid Khaybulaev in 2023 PFL finals

Brendan Loughnane hopes his road to another PFL title goes through Movlid Khaybulaev.

[autotag]Brendan Loughnane[/autotag] hopes his road to another PFL title goes through [autotag]Movlid Khaybulaev[/autotag].

Khaybulaev (20-0-1-1) is the only fighter to beat Loughnane (27-4) in the PFL, edging him out by split decision in the 2021 PFL semifinals. He went on to beat Chris Wade in the finals to win the season and featherweight title.

With Khaybulaev missing last year, Loughnane didn’t get a chance to cross paths with him en route to winning the featherweight title himself. But Loughnane would love the stars to align for a finals showdown with Khaybulaev this year.

“I’m just hoping that the standings for the semis are gonna lie where I actually get him in the final,” Loughnane told MMA Junkie Radio. “I would rather fight him over five rounds this time. I’m a five-round fighter. I just feel like I’ve got massive advantages in the fourth and fifth. So, I’m hoping that I get him over five, but if I have to do it over three, I’m not mad at that either.”

Both Loughnane and Khaybulaev were successful to kick off their 2023 PFL campaign. Loughnane stopped former UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes by TKO at PFL 1, and Khaybulaev scored a unanimous decision over Ryoji Kudo on the same night.

But it wasn’t Khaybulaev who impressed Loughnane in the season opener.

“The only person that stood out to me was Bubba Jenkins,” Loughnane said. “He looked really good against Chris Wade. Apart from that, not really, no. And that’s just being honest.”

Their campaign continues at 2023 PFL 4 on June 8 in Atlanta, where Loughnane is scheduled to face Jesus Pinedo, and Khaybulaev is booked against Daniel Torres.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 4.

MMA Junkie Radio #3357: Guest Brendan Loughnane, BKFC and UFC recaps, Nate Diaz, more

Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,357, the boys bring on guest [autotag]Brendan Loughnane[/autotag] from the PFL. Plus, they look back at this past Saturday’s blockbuster BKFC 41 event, as well as UFC Fight Night 223. Plus, they discuss the latest on Nate Diaz, look ahead to UFC 288 and more. Tune in!

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.

2023 PFL 4 lineup set: Brendan Loughnane, Robert Wilkinson, Thiago Santos return to action June 8

Check out the full fight card lineup for 2023 PFL 4, which kicks off the next series of regular season events in Atlanta.

The 2023 PFL regular season continues June 8 with featherweights and light heavyweights in action.

Following the first three events of the season at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, the promotion settles in for its next series of events at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, with each event airing live on ESPN and ESPN+. In a press release Wednesday, PFL officially announced the lineup for 2023 PFL 4.

The main event will see 2022 featherweight champion [autotag]Brendan Loughnane[/autotag] takes on [autotag]Jesus Pinedo[/autotag]. At 2023 PFL 1, Loughnane (27-4 MMA, 9-1 PFL) began his 2023 season with a second-round stoppage of Marlon Moraes, while Pinedo (20-6-1 MMA, 0-1 PFL) lost a close split decision to Gabriel Braga.

Loughnane currently sits atop the featherweight standings with 5 points, with Bubba Jenkins, Movlid Khaybulaev, Alejandro Flores and Braga all tied with 3 points.

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The co-main bout takes place in the light heavyweight division, with 2022 champion [autotag]Rob Wilkinson[/autotag] facing [autotag]Will Fleury[/autotag]. Wilkinson (18-2 MMA, 0-2 PFL) was victorious in his first bout of the season, spoiling the debut of former UFC title challenger Thiago Santos by unanimous decision. Fleury (12-3 MMA, 2-0 PFL) was also successful in the first fight of the regular season, defeating Krzysztof Jotko by split decision.

Santos (22-12 MMA, 0-1 PFL) will look to snap his skid and get back on track at the event, as he faces Mohammad Fakhreddine (15-5 MMA, 0-1 PFL).

Marthin Hamlet and Josh Silveira both have 6 points atop the light heavyweight standings, with Ty Flores, Wilkinson and Fleury at 3 points.

The full 2023 PFL 4 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN)

Brendan Loughnane vs. Jesus Pinedo
Robert Wilkinson vs. Will Fleury
Thiago Santos vs. Mohammad Fakhreddine
Movlid Khaybulaev vs. Daniel Torres
Marthin Hamlet vs. Sam Kei

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+)

Josh Silveira vs. Delan Monte
Bubba Jenkins vs. Jo Sungbin
Krzystof Jotko vs. Ty Flores
Alejandro Flores vs. Marlon Moraes
Chris Wade vs. Ryoji Kudo
Abigail Montes vs. opponent TBA – showcase bout
Alexei Pergande vs. opponent TBA – showcase bout

Video: Is PFL’s Brendan Loughnane one of world’s best featherweights?

Top-ranked MMA fighters exist outside the UFC. Is PFL MMA’s Brendan Loughnane among the world’s best?

[autotag]Brendan Loughnane[/autotag] proved himself the best featherweight in the 2022 PFL season, as he reigned supreme and took home the championship in his division.

The success continued for Loughnane (27-4) as Friday he headlined the promotion’s season opener 2023 PFL 1 when he defeated former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon Moraes (23-12-1) by second-round TKO.

With the victory, Loughnane moved to 9-1 under the PFL banner. Obviously, he’s one of the promotion’s top-tier talents. But that renders the question: just how good is Brendan Loughnane, not just in PFL, but across the entire landscape of MMA’s featherweight division?

That’s what was asked to this week’s “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Dan Tom, along with host Farah Hannoun. Check out their analysis in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s full episode below.

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel.

Spinning Back Clique: UFC 287, Pereira-Adesanya 2, PFL opener, Gamebred Boxing, more (noon ET)

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique” live stream covering the biggest topics in MMA, including a look ahead to UFC 287.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Dan Tom will join host Farah Hannoun live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:

One of the most talked about rematches in UFC history is set for Saturday in Miami when middleweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] puts his title on the line in a rematch with former champ [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag]. Adesanya was up 3-1 in the fifth round of their first fight this past November when Pereira caught him and knocked him out. The Brazilian also has two wins over him in kickboxing. Recently Adesanya said his fight with Pereira could be his “last shot.” Is he blowing things out of proportion, or is there some truth to that?
In the co-main event at UFC 287, Miami’s own [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] is back to take on [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag]. Masvidal, a regular lightning rod for controversy who is awaiting trial for an alleged attack of [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag], is a heavy underdog in the fight. He’s lost three straight. Yet he maintains if he wins impressively, he’ll leapfrog Covington into a title shot with welterweight champ Leon Edwards – another of his big rivals. Is that likely to happen? Or can Burns make that same case, himself?
[autotag]Brendan Loughnane[/autotag] won $1 million in the 2022 PFL featherweight season. Saturday, he started off his quest for a repeat with 5 points and a finish of Marlon Moraes. Afterward, he talked about putting some respect on his name – and that he needs to be considered among the world’s best at 145 pounds. Is he?
Masvidal’s Gamebred Boxing took its show on the road to Milwaukee on Saturday with home city hero Anthony Pettis in the main event for his boxing debut against all-time legend Roy Jones Jr. But Pettis wasn’t alone for MMA standouts on the card, which included Jose Aldo vs. Jeremy Stephens, Vitor Belfort vs. Ronaldo Souza, Pearl Gonzalez vs. Gina Mazany and more. How do we rate some of the MMA performances in their crossovers – and do we want to see more of it?
The top two fights are UFC 287 are big ones, to be certain. But the rest of the card features some big names, too. Outside of the 1-2 punch in Miami, who is going to steal the show? Adrian Yanez? Kevin Holland? Or maybe someone farther down the card? We take a deep dive.

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch this week’s episode in the video above.

Brendan Loughnane wants ‘in the conversation for the best ’45ers on the planet’ after 2023 PFL 1 win

Brendan Loughnane wants recognition among the world’s best featherweights after he finished Marlon Moraes at 2023 PFL 1.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Brendan Loughnane[/autotag] is beaming with confidence after getting his new PFL season off to a strong start Saturday at 2023 PFL 1.

After winning the featherweight championship and $1 million prize in 2022, Loughnane (26-4) kept his momentum going in the main event at The Theatre at Virgin Hotels with a second-round TKO of former UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes (23-12-1).

With his winning streak now at five fights, Loughnane wants recognition alongside the top names at his weight – regardless of promotion.

“I’m on a roll,” Loughnane told MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight at 2023 PFL 1. “It’s hard to doubt me. Put me in the conversation for the best ’45ers on the planet right now. How could you not? I know Marlon’s been on a bit of a skid, but look at the precise work that I put in.”

Loughnane’s work against Marlon was indeed nearly flawless. He used a kick-heavy assault to damage the legs of his Brazilian foe, badly compromising Moraes toward the of the opening round. In the second frame, Loughnane went right back to the legs, and it wasn’t long before Moraes collapsed to the canvas and the bout was waved off.

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“That’s the game plan for every fight,” Loughnane said. “Good luck defending them. Anyone can get them kicks. … I’m going to keep using them. Learn how to stop them. They were bad. They were really bad. They were exceptionally bad ones, and fair play to Marlon for coming out and giving it a go in the second (round).”

Loughnane was one of the few bright spots at an event that was loaded with decisions and dull bouts. He was the only fighter in the 145-pound division to finish his opponent, which gives him the top spot in the standings.

When surveying his upcoming competition as he pushes for back-to-back season wins, Loughnane said he wasn’t impressed.

“They bored the life out of me,” Loughnane said. “They really did. I’m not even havinf a dig at anyone – well I’m having a dig at everyone. It was boring, man. … I swear, I was falling asleep in the back.”

There is one name in the division who is firmly on Loughnane’s radar, though. The Brit’s only loss in nearly six years came against Movlid Khaybulaev in August 2021, and the split decision result is one Loughnane is keen to avenge.

Loughnane was not excited by Khaybulaev’s (20-0-1) unanimous decision win over Ryoji Kudo on the main card of Saturday’s event, and he said the rematch – whenever it happens – will be different.

“I’m coming for Movlid,” Loughnane said. “Call it a callout. Call it what you want. Me and him are the best two guys in this. I’m on a roll. His performances, it’s the same thing. Who would you rather watch, win, lose or draw? Let’s be honest.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2023 PFL 1.

Brendan Loughnane def. Marlon Moraes at 2023 PFL 1: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Brendan Loughnane’s second-round TKO win over Marlon Moraes at 2023 PFL 1 in Las Vegas.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Brendan Loughnane[/autotag]’s second-round TKO win over [autotag]Marlon Moraes[/autotag] at PFL 2023, Week 1 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. (Photos courtesy of PFL)

2023 PFL 1 ceremonial faceoffs video: Brendan Loughnane, Marlon Moraes size each other up

Check out the ceremonial faceoffs from the first PFL event of 2023.

LAS VEGAS – The 2023 PFL season kicks off Saturday and the promotion held its first ceremonial faceoffs Friday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels.

2023 PFL 1 features the first of two regular season fights for its featherweight and light heavyweight fighters with a main card on ESPN/ESPN+ after prelims on ESPN+.

In the main event, 2022 PFL featherweight champion [autotag]Brendan Loughnane[/autotag] (26-4) returns against former UFC bantamweight title challenger [autotag]Marlon Moraes[/autotag] (23-11-1).

Also on the card, 2022 PFL light heavyweight champion [autotag]Robert Wilkinson[/autotag] (17-2) takes on former UFC light heavyweight title challenger [autotag]Thiago Santos[/autotag] (22-11).

Check out the ceremonial faceoffs above and the full fight card below.

MAIN CARD (ESPN/ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET)

Brendan Loughnane vs. Marlon Moraes
Rob Wilkinson vs. Thiago Santos
Will Fleury vs. Krzysztof Jotko
Movlid Khaybulaev vs. Ryoji Kudo
Bubba Jenkins vs. Chris Wade

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

Mohammad Fakhreddine vs. Marthin Hamlet
Sam Kei vs. Josh Silveira
Alejandro Flores vs. Daniel Torres
Sung Bin Jo vs. Jesus Pinedo
Ty Flores vs. Delan Monte
Cory Hendricks vs. Impa Kasanganay

PFL 2023, Week 1 predictions: Check out our three unanimous picks to open the season

Check out our staff members’ picks for the PFL 2023, Week 1 main card in Las Vegas, which features featherweights and light heavyweights.

	Loughnane vs. Moraes	Santos vs. Wilkinson	Fleury vs. Jotko	Khayvulaev vs. Kudo	Jenkins vs. Wade
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 35-24	Loughnane (88%)	Wilkinson (56%)	Jotko (88%)	Khaybulaev (88%)	Wade (61%)
Matt Erickson @MattE 37-22	Loughnane	Santos	Jotko	Khaybulaev	Wade
Nolan King @mma_kings 37-22	Loughnane	Wilkinson	Jotko	Khaybulaev	Wade
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 37-22	Loughnane	Wilkinson	Jotko	Khaybulaev	Wade
Simon Samano @SJSamano 35-24	Loughnane	Wilkinson	Jotko	Khaybulaev	Wade
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 34-25	Loughnane	Wilkinson	Jotko	Khaybulaev	Jenkins
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 34-25	Loughnane	Wilkinson	Jotko	Khaybulaev	Wade
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 33-26 2018, 2022 Champion	Loughnane	Wilkinson	Jotko	Khaybulaev	Jenkins
Matthew Wells @MrMWells 33-26	Loughnane	Wilkinson	Jotko	Khaybulaev	Jenkins
Mike Bohn @MikeBohn 32-27 2014 Champion	Loughnane	Santos	Jotko	Khaybulaev	Wade
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 32-27	Loughnane	Santos	Jotko	Khaybulaev	Wade
Brian Garcia @thegoze 31-28 2017 Champion	Loughnane	Wilkinson	Jotko	Khaybulaev	Jenkins

The PFL is back for its 2023 regular season, and featherweights and light heavyweights are up first.

PFL 2023, Week 1 takes place Saturday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, 2022 featherweight season winner [autotag]Brendan Loughnane[/autotag] (26-4) takes on [autotag]Marlon Moraes[/autotag] (23-11-1), a former WSOF bantamweight champion and ex-UFC interim title challenger who has fallen on rough times with five straight losses, including in his PFL debut this past November. Loughnane is the biggest favorite on the card at -750 at BetMGM; the comeback on Moraes is +500. Not surprisingly, our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers have Loughnane as one of three unanimous picks on the main card.

The co-main event also features a former UFC title challenger in [autotag]Thiago Santos[/autotag] (22-11), who takes on 2022 light heavyweight season winner [autotag]Rob Wilkinson[/autotag] (17-2), who has six straight wins by stoppage. Wilkinson is a 2-1 favorite at the betting window, and he has a big 8-3 lead in the picks from our staff members.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Krzysztof Jotko[/autotag] (24-6) will fight outside the UFC for the first time in nearly 10 years when he steps in on short notice to take on [autotag]Will Fleury[/autotag] (11-3) at light heavyweight. Jotko, who is moving up after years at middleweight, is a -250 favorite and the second of our unanimous picks at 11-0.

Our third unanimous pick is [autotag]Movlid Khaybulaev[/autotag] (19-0-1), who is a 7-1 favorite in his featherweight season opener against [autotag]Ryoji Kudo[/autotag] (11-4-1). Khaybulaev won the 2021 featherweight season, but was out of action all of 2022.

And to open the main card, the man Loughnane beat this past November to win the $1 million featherweight season, [autotag]Bubba Jenkins[/autotag] (19-6), returns to take on 2021 finalist [autotag]Chris Wade[/autotag] (22-8). Wade is a slight favorite at -175, and he has the narrowest possible edge in the picks at 6-5.

In the MMA Junkie consensus picks, Loughnane (82 percent), Wilkinson (56 percent), Jotko (88 percent), Khaybulaev (88 percent) and Wade (61 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 1.