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

Mike Bohn and Ken Hathaway
·3 min read
Brendan Loughnane wants ‘in the conversation for the best ’45ers on the planet’ after 2023 PFL 1 win

LAS VEGAS – Brendan Loughnane 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.

Related

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

“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.

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Stock market today: Tesla surges 12%, stocks go nowhere amid earnings rush

    Tesla's surge is putting Big Tech earnings center stage as investors look to megacaps to lift stocks.

  • Meta Stock Drops After Earnings. The Facebook Parent Is Spending More on AI.

    The parent of Facebook and Instagram ratcheted up its spending plans as it continues to invest in AI software and services.

  • Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams has setback in recovery from elbow injury, will get injection

    Guardians starter Gavin Williams has suffered a setback in his recovery from an elbow injury and will be shut down for at least another week. Williams, who was expected to have a major role for Cleveland this season, hurt his elbow while throwing a weighted ball during spring training in March. Williams pitched three innings in a simulated game on Saturday in Arizona, and afterward told the team he had soreness in the back of his elbow.

  • NEWSMAKER-Spanish PM Sanchez shocks country again putting his continuity on the line

    Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is no stranger to high octane political battles and has successfully fought for his career in public life several times. On Wednesday evening, Sanchez said he would suspend public duties until next week to decide whether he wants to continue leading the government. The shock announcement came after a Spanish court said earlier on Wednesday it was launching a preliminary investigation into whether Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez committed a crime of influence peddling and corruption in business in her private dealings.

  • Southwest Airlines flight attendants ratify a contract that will raise pay about 33% over 4 years

    Flight attendants at Southwest Airlines have ratified a contract that includes pay raises totaling more than 33% over four years, as airline workers continue to benefit from the industry's recovery since the pandemic. The Transport Workers Union said Wednesday that members of Local 556 approved the contract by a margin of 81% to 19%. The union's board rejected a lower offer last summer, and flight attendants voted against a second proposal in December.

  • Haiti’s new leaders wanted to take power in the presidential palace. Then reality hit

    Members of Haiti’s new transition government, who are readying to officially assume office on Thursday, were hoping to take the oath of office on the grounds of the presidential palace, the symbol of power even if the once ornate building hasn’t been rebuilt after collapsing in the 2010 earthquake.

  • ServiceNow Earnings Beat, Guidance Light. Software Stock Falls

    ServiceNow stock fell after the software maker reported Q1 earnings and revenue that topped estimates while guidance came in slightly below views.

  • Ford Q1 earnings top expectations, sees full-year profit 'tracking to high-end'

    Ford reported first quarter results after the bell that beat expectations on Wednesday, with its changing product game plan front and center along with its focus on gas and hybrid offerings.

  • Kansas' governor vetoed tax cuts again over their costs. Some fellow Democrats backed it

    Kansas' Democratic governor on Wednesday vetoed a broad package of tax cuts for the second time in three months, describing it as “too expensive” despite the bipartisan support it enjoyed in the Republican-controlled Legislature. Gov. Laura Kelly and her staff had signalled that she had misgivings about a package of income, sales and property tax cuts worth $1.5 billion over the next three years. The governor also told fellow Democrats that she believes Kansas' current three personal income tax rates ensure that the wealthy pay their fair share.

  • Matty Healy Admits He "Hasn't Listened" to ‘The Tortured Poets Department,’ But Is "Sure It's Good"

    The 1975 frontman Matty Healy revealed he "hasn't really listened" to Taylor Swift's new album, "The Tortured Poets Department."

  • Meta more than doubles Q1 profit but revenue guidance pulls shares down after-hours

    Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta said Wednesday its first-quarter profit more than doubled, boosted by higher advertising revenue and a 6% increase on the average price of ads on its platforms.

  • Jill Biden launches bike ride for wounded service members, stresses need to support vets

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Jill Biden on Wednesday sounded a red horn to start the Wounded Warrior Project's annual Soldier Ride from the White House lawn, using the launch of the multiday bike ride to stress the importance of supporting service members. “My husband often says that we have many obligations as a nation but only one sacred obligation: to support you and your families when we send you into harm’s way and when you return,” she said of President Joe Biden, who is up for reelection. Jill Biden

  • Norfolk Southern warns of revenue hit tied to Baltimore bridge

    Norfolk Southern (NSC) shares are falling during Wednesday's trading session after the company reported disappointing first-quarter results, missing analyst expectations on both revenue and adjusted EPS. The railroad freight operator cautions that the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge in March could have a substantial financial impact on the company with losses ranging from $25 million to $35 million per month, as supply chains face significant disruptions. Market Domination's Julie Hyman and Josh Lipton break down the details, providing insights into other freight stocks feeling pressure from the bridge collapse. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Market Domination. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Friends cast to reportedly mark milestone without Matthew Perry

    The former cast members are figuring out how to appropriately mark the upcoming anniversary without co-star Matthew Perry, according to reports by Us Weekly. The series finale of the television sitcom, titled The One Where They Say Goodbye, aired on NBC in the United States on 6 May 2004, when it was watched by 52.5 million viewers. Perry had famously battled drug and alcohol addiction for years, and in his 2022 memoir, he revealed he was taking 55 Vicodin pills a day during the show's heyday.

  • Merck to Report Earnings One Month After Major Drug Approval. What Investors Are Watching.

    Merck is set to announce its first quarter financial results on Thursday, a month after the pharmaceutical company secured the approval of Winrevair, a new medicine that analysts expect to be a blockbuster. The Winrevair approval should help cushion the blow of the expiration of the patents protecting Merck’s blockbuster cancer medicine Keytruda, which poses a substantial threat to the company’s revenues. Merck shares have gained 16% in 2024, outpacing its peers in the which is up roughly 7%, and the broader up about 6%.

  • BBC shares first look at new British drama Dope Girls

    The BBC has released the first-look pictures of Dope Girls, a new British drama from Doctor Who and His Dark Materials studio Bad Wolf.

  • Baltimore Mayor's Race Issues: Transportation

    Earlier this year, state lawmakers learned there would be a $3 billion shortfall in the transportation budget over the next several years, which could result in major cuts to huge projects. Governor Wes Moore announced in January a $150 million investment to help offset the costs, though many viewed that as a band-aid to the issue. The money that comes in to fund transportation costs is not covering what is needed, which means that big changes are required in how the budget is structured.

  • Booing Columbia Students Drown Out Mike Johnson’s National Guard Threat

    Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/GettyHouse Speaker (R-LA) Mike Johnson trekked to Columbia University’s New York City campus on Wednesday—and was immediately greeted with a chorus of boos.The crowd loudly heckled and booed Johnson as he approached a podium and launched into his speech, railing against “antisemites” who “gnash their teeth and demand to wipe the State of Israel off the map and attack our innocent Jewish students.”Moments after making that declaration, a loud c

  • Driver leaves tavern then crashes into party, killing young siblings, mom’s lawsuit says

    The Michigan brother and sister were 5 and 8 years old.

  • Victoria Monét Gets Candid About Her Weight Gain: 'PCOS Has Me Really Messed Up'

    “I usually am so critical and frustrated by it... but optimistically at least now there’s two moons on the stage,” she joked, while sharing a photo of her recent Coachella performance