Brendan Loughnane was one of the biggest talking points in a night of returning stars as the Professional Fighters League returned in Chicago last night.
The 2022 PFL featherweight champion Loughnane lost his spot – and the $1million prize that comes with it – in one of the biggest upsets of the year against Jesus Pinedo last summer. But he has returned to the cage, with his sights set on another world title.
Standing in his way was Irish-based Pedro Carvalho in an opening round matchup, but he managed to pick up all six points with a controversial win. They served as co-main event to the former Bellator welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov’s all-Russian showdown with unbeaten Magomed Umalatov.
PFL season format explained ahead of Andrey Koreshkov vs. Magomed Umalatov
The PFL’s unprecedented ‘season’ format offers all competitors a clear opportunity to show their mettle with two league fights before heading into a knockout tournament in the latter half of the year. After a Champions League-style group stage, semi-finals and finals are then decided.
- COMEBACK SEASON: Brendan Loughnane explains why he came back to brutal PFL season after winning $1million in 2022
A win is worth three points, similar to football. But the key player in progression to the next round are bonus points available based on how one wins their fight. A first round stoppage garners three extra points, while the second round is worth two, third round is one. A decision leaves you with no bonuses.
Tonight’s event showcases featherweights and welterweights, while the promotion also have heavyweight, light-heavyweight, lightweight and women’s flyweight divisions. The winner at each weight earns $1million in the season finale.
PFL 3 Andrey Koreshkov vs Magomed Umalatov full card
- Welterweight: Andrey Koreshkov vs. Magomed Umalatov
- Featherweight: Brendan Loughnane vs. Pedro Carvalho
- Welterweight: Logan Storley vs. Shamil Musaev
- Featherweight: Gabriel Braga vs. Justin Gonzales
- Welterweight: Goiti Yamauchi vs. Neiman Gracie
- Featherweight: Bubba Jenkins vs. Kai Kamaka III
Prelims
- Featherweight: Adam Borics vs. Enrique Barzola
- Featherweight: Timur Khizriev vs. Brett Johns
- Welterweight: Laureano Staropoli vs. Murad Ramazanov
- Welterweight: Don Madge vs. Brennan Ward
- Featherweight: Tyler Diamond vs. Otto Rodrigues
- Welterweight (alternates): Romain Debienne vs. Thad Jean
PFL 3 Andrey Koreshkov vs Magomed Umalatov results
Magomed Umalatov def Andrey Koreshkov by Unanimous Decision
A completely unremarkable main event as former Bellator champion Koreshkov’s winning post-covid run came to an end at the hands of unbeaten Umalatov. Just the three points though, so work still to do in the second round of fights.
Brendan Loughnane def Pedro Carvalho by R1 KO
Loughnane was in control of the pace early and managed to drop Carvalho early, but as he went for ground and pound it appeared that the Portugese fighter had managed to clip his ankle and send him stumbling, only for the referee to stop the contest early. Very controversial win.
Shamil Musaev def Logan Storley by R2 KO
Somehow, Logan Storley managed to stay alive at the end of the first round. But he walked straight onto a massive right hand in the second and was put to sleep on the ground in a statement win for the unbeaten Russian.
Gabriel Braga def Justin Gonzales by R1 KO
Right at the buzzer of round number one, Brazilian Braga returned to the win column and banked all six points in his season opener. A good fight for as long as it lasted, Gonzales will get another chance later this year while Braga will just need a win.
Goiti Yamauchi def Neiman Gracie by Unanimous Decision
Two former Bellator stars made their way into the PFL smart cage, and didn’t quite light up Chicago’s Wintrust Arena. Yamauchi got the win but will need a stoppage to guarantee his spot in the playoffs when he returns in June
Kai Kamaka III def Bubba Jenkins by Unanimous Decision
A back-and-forth battle between Jenkins and Kamaka ended with the PFL company man on top. But the judges scored this one in favour of Kamaka, who finds his way into the win column in his first outing under the PFL banner.
Adam Borics def Enrique Barzola by Unanimous Decision
Bellator star Borics seemed to have Barzola out on his feet countless times in this back-and-forth affair, but couldn’t get the stoppage by any means. He did enough, however, to get the win – but no extra points!
Timur Khizriev def Brett Johns by Unanimous Decision
UFC and Bellator veteran Johns was up against it when he decided to grapple with unbeaten Russian Khizriev for three rounds in the penultimate prelim of the night. Ultimately, he impressed but didn’t do enough to hand Khizriev his first defeat as a professional.
Murad Ramazanov def Laureano Staropoli by R1 Submission
After missing weight for the fight, Staropoli was already up against it when he faced unbeaten Russian Ramazanov. He wasn’t given a minute to breathe and after complete dominance on the ground, he was stopped in the first to continue the winning run for the Russian.
Don Madge def Brennan Ward by R1 Submission
South African Don Madge didn’t waste any time against former Bellator star Brennan Ward, who had him on his back within seconds. The American wanted to keep the fight on the feet and let his rival up, but was made pay when he ate a knee that wobbled him, and allowed Madge to get into a standing rear naked choke. Six points for Don Madge!
Tyler Diamond def Otto Rodrigues by Unanimous Decision
A gruesome eye injury that looked like a broken orbital bone should have seen Rodrigues pulled out after the second round in this PFL regular season showdown. However, he survived a brutal 10-8 round to make his way to the third, where he almost stunned with a guillotine before eventually losing on the cards. Three points for Diamond!
Thad Jean def Romain Debienne by R1 KO
A stunning uppercut for the undefeated Thad Jean brought his record up to 7-0 as he stopped Roman Debienne within a round. If this fight were part of the featherweight tournament, Jean would have earned himself all six points.
HIGH STAKES: Pedro Carvalho went from €700 per month factory job to fighting for $1million PFL prize