PFL star Brendan Loughnane addressed his fans and supporters after falling to Timur Khizriev for the 2024 PFL featherweight title.
Brendan Loughnane’s shot at redemption in 2024 fell short against one of the league’s brightest prospects at the 2024 PFL World Championship in Riyadh. He lost to Timur Khizriev, one of the latest in a slew of emerging Dagestani talents, by unanimous decision in their featherweight championship clash.
It was a disappointing end to an otherwise impressive seasonal showing from Loughnane after a knockout loss to the 2023 PFL champion, Jesus Pinedo, last year. After a controversial knockout win over Pedro Carvalho, Loughnane tallied decisive wins over Kai Kamaka and Justin Gonzales en route to the championship.
While Loughnane’s final 2024 appearance in the PFL SmartCage left his face a bloody mess, the UK star is already looking ahead to potentially returning to the top in 2025.
Brendan Loughnane breaks silence after title loss to Dagestan powerhouse
After falling short against Khizriev, Loughnane put things into perspective despite the crushing defeat.
“Through the highest highs and the lowest lows. All you can do is give it your all. Five rounds with a great undefeated fighter,” Loughnane shared.
“I lost the fight but won war,” Loughnane said in a separate post.
As for Khizriev, the Dagestani featherweight remains unbeaten in his professional MMA career after recent victories over Enrique Barzola and Gabriel Braga. The 29-year-old won the 2024 PFL featherweight title and a $1 million prize for his battle with Loughnane.
Loughnane hoped to reclaim the PFL featherweight throne after winning the championship in 2022 by finishing Bubba Jenkins. The former Dana White’s Contender Series invitee has found a home in the PFL since making his league debut in 2019, winning 12 of his 15 league fights.
Brendan Loughnane’s PFL future uncertain after falling short of second featherweight title
After the 2024 PFL World Championship, Loughnane has plenty of options as he plots his eventual fighting return. Leading up to the Khizriev fight, Loughnane teased potentially making 2024 his final appearance in the PFL season format, and focusing primarily on a run in the Bellator International Champions Series.
Loughnane’s 2021 PFL postseason loss to Movlid Khaybulaev led to his magical championship run in 2022. After falling to Khizriev, he’ll look to carve a similar path back to the top of the PFL featherweight conversation.
During his PFL tenure, Loughnane has earned dominant wins over former UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes, former PFL finalist Chris Wade, and former The Ultimate Fighter standout Tyler Diamond. At 34 years old, he could potentially opt to move up to 155lbs for his next fight, although it’s uncertain if he’s entertaining a weight class change.
Loughnane remains one of the PFL’s biggest names and will look to get back on track in 2025. Regardless of the route he takes next year, Loughnane will likely get another high-profile spotlight for his return to the PFL SmartCage.