Brendan Loughnane (27-5) believes the Professional Fighters League’s tournament format isn’t for everyone and claims to know plenty of Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters who agree with him.
Loughnane will face Justin Gonzalez (14-4) in the main event of the PFL6 2024 regular season featherweight and welterweight bouts at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on June 28. The 2022 PFL featherweight champion has been with the promotion since 2019 and is no stranger to the unique format.
A PFL season will feature two regular season matches across six weight classes, with a points system based on winning method to determine which teams will advance to the playoffs, which will feature semi-finals and a final with a prize pool of $1 million.
That, combined with the league’s pay-per-view cards, keeps PFL fighters busier than most other promotions. Loughnane points out that the PFL’s tournament format is pretty taxing when it comes to injuries, weight cuts and travel. He says he knows several UFC and Bellator MMA fighters who agree that the PFL season is a whole different game. But the Manchester native insists he’s adjusted to the tournament format with ease.
“What I want to say is, this is a marathon, not a sprint,” Loughnane said on a media conference call. “That’s what I always tell everybody about the PFL. It’s a long year that starts in April and ends in November. So it’s just long, and it’s very hard to know when to step on the gas and when to pull back. And I don’t think everybody is made for tournaments. A tournament is its own thing. I know a lot of fighters in UFC and Bellator and stuff who agree with this, but when you put them in this tournament, it’s a whole different game. And I truly believe I’m a tournament fighter. I’ve shown up to every fight I’ve signed up for, I’ve fought to the best of my ability, I’ve never missed a weigh-in, I’ve never withdrawn, I’ve always shown up. And in this format with injuries and weights and traveling from Thailand to the U.S. for a few days, it’s really hard to do that. There’s a lot of work to be done, but I’m taking it in stride. I’m a veteran at this.”
After fighting in the PFL for so long, Loughnane doesn’t expect to be able to return to fighting just once or twice a year.
“I don’t think I can go back to normal fights now. What I call normal fights, regular fights once or twice a year, is no longer possible for me. I am in good shape all year round and I know how to look after and maintain my body and mind.”
Loughnane has had a great relationship with the league because the PFL’s tournament format was a perfect fit for him and the league has looked after him well.
“Listen, I’m the biggest PFL… I love PFL. PFL has changed my life, changed my family’s life, given me the opportunity to compete regularly, be on ESPN… I know it’s going to get my brand out there. I think they’re doing a great job. They’re continuing to grow right now. And Pete [Murray] Eduardo
[Cunha Lima] Mr. Song and the back staff are also great people. I am very happy that they are now a successful company.
Loughnane began his 2024 season with a first-round knockout win over Pedro Carvalho in April, then bounced back after suffering a first-round knockout loss to 2023 featherweight champion Jesus Pinedo.
