PFL star Brendan Loughnane has gone on to address the fans after falling short against Timur Khizriev. This was in his 2024 PFL featherweight title fight.
Brendan Loughnane’s bid for redemption in 2024 went and came to an end at the PFL World Championships in Riyadh. This was when he was defeated by Khizriev, one of the rising Dagestani fighters, due to a unanimous decision in their featherweight title fight.
Despite the setback, Loughnane’s season has been impressive after a tough knockout loss to the 2023 PFL champion Jesus Pinedo. Following a controversial knockout win over Pedro Carvalho. Brendan Loughnane secured a dominant victory over Kai Kamaka and Justin Gonzales to earn a shot at the championship.
While he has left his final 2024 appearance battered, Brendan Loughnane is already focusing on making his comeback in 2025.
Brendan Loughnane Reflects on PFL Loss to Khizriev: ‘I Lost the Fight but Won the War
After coming up short against Khizriev, Brendan Loughnane took a moment to put the crushing defeat into perspective. This was when he stated;
“Through the highest highs and the lowest lows, all you can do is give it your all. Five rounds with a great, undefeated fighter,”
While in another post he continued by saying;
“I lost the fight but won the war.”
Khizriev, the Dagestani featherweight, has now remained undefeated in his MMA career. This is as well as having recently secured victories against Enrique Barzola and Gabriel Braga. The 29-year-old was able to claim the 2024 PFL featherweight title and a $1 million prize for his win over Loughnane.
Brendan Loughnane had hoped he would be able to reclaim the PFL featherweight crown. This was after he was able to clinch the title back in 2022 when he defeated Bubba Jenkins. Since debuting in the PFL in 2019, Loughnane has won 12 out of his 15 league fights.
Loughnane Eyes Future Options Ahead of 2025 Return
After the 2024 World Championship, Brendan Loughnane has several potential paths ahead as he plans his return to the cage. Leading up to this fight against Khizriev, Loughnane had hinted that the 2024 season might be his final season in the PFL format. This is with a possible focus on a run in the Bellator International Champion Series.
Brandan Loughnane’s 2021 post-season loss to Movlid Khaybulaev set the stage for his impressive championship run in 2022. Following his defeat to Khizriev, Loughnane aims to replicate that comeback and return to the top of the PFL featherweight rankings.
During his PFL career, Loughnane has secured dominant victories over notable fighters like UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes, former PFL finalist Chris Wade, and The Ultimate Fighter standout Tyler Diamond. At 34 years old, he may consider making a weight change up to 155lbs for his next fight though it is unclear if he is considering making a change in weight class.
Regardless of the direction which Loughnane chooses, he will remain one of the PFL’s top stars and is expected to return to the spotlight in 2025, with another high-profile opportunity in the SmartCage.Brendan Loughnane Reflects on 2024 PFL Loss to Khizriev and Eyes 2025 Comeback.
Featured image credits to Getty Images
