Brendan Loughnane is on the brink of history.
The British MMA fighter is set to battle for the PFL Featherweight Championship once more – as he prepares to take on Timur Khizriev – and his confidence is palpable.
In a recent interview with Mail Sport, Loughnane discussed his upcoming fight, his career, and his unwavering belief in his abilities.
Despite the high stakes, Loughnane maintains a calm and collected demeanor. ‘I think there’s just no pressure. It’s like, all right, well, I’ve already got a PFL title.
‘Like, let’s just have a little crack at it, see how it goes. There’s no stress on the outcome, because no one can ever take away the fact that I was a champion.
‘I mean, let’s just have a little roll of the dice.’
Brendan Loughnane will be looking to make history at PFL’s World Championship event
However, featherwight opponent Timur Khizriev will be standing in his way on Friday night
Loughnane also acknowledged his opponent’s undefeated record but dismissed it as a mere statistic. ‘Yeah, it’s not the first undefeated fighter. I remember when I was undefeated.
‘But my experience is going to come into play here in this fight. I’m way too experienced, and my fight IQ is too high for this guy.’
The fight strategy is straightforward: Loughnane aims to neutralize his opponent’s grappling and secure a knockout victory. He said: ‘I mean, there’s no secrets in this fight.
‘He’s going to try and grab hold of me, and I’m going to try and knock him out. And that’s exactly what’s going to happen. And whoever’s successful will win the belt.’
Though there’s another £1million up for grabs to whoever emerges victorious on Friday night, Loughnane insists that money is not on his mind as he heads into the bout.
He said: ‘I mean, the money is the money. The money comes and goes.
‘But the fact that I’m going to get a picture to put on my mantelpiece from the grandkids with two massive belts and two massive million dollar checks. That’s legendary. There’s enough motivation for me to train this hard every day’.
Beyond the prize money and accolades, Loughnane’s passion for martial arts drives him. ‘I just approach every fight camp the same.
Loughnane won the 2022 PFL Lightweight Championship and will look to repeat that success
However, Loughnane insists that the £1million prize-fund up for grabs in not an incentive
‘I just cover all bases, and then that’s it, whatever happens when it happens,’ he explained.
‘This is my 14th PFL final. Fought in every different part of the stage. Like, I don’t care where it is. Could put it in my mum’s back garden if you want. Make no difference to me at all.’
‘I’m just in this now for the love of martial arts, I made some money, and I’ve invested it. Well, I don’t need to do it. I just really enjoy fighting. I’m good at it. I’m hungry for it, and I want that second belt to take it around Manchester. That’s the plan,’ he added.
‘Really, no, there’s no pressure at all. The pressures on him. I’ve been here before. This is friendly waters for me,’ he said.
