.png)
As he approaches his 35th birthday and prepares for another PFL championship bout, Brendan Loughnane is determined to clarify his stance on the future of his MMA career. Reflecting on comments he made earlier this year about being in the “twilight” of his career, the British fighter has dismissed the notion that his time in the sport is nearing its end.
“Listen, English literature wasn’t my favorite subject at school,” Loughnane joked. “Let me rephrase that — Brendan Loughnane is in his prime... Let me rephrase that ‘twilight’ and let me get rid of that word forever. That word shouldn’t have even come into my vocabulary.”
While Loughnane acknowledges the inevitable realities of aging, he emphasizes that he remains at the peak of his abilities. Preparing to face the undefeated Timur Khizriev for the PFL featherweight title, Loughnane insists he feels stronger than ever.
“MMA is a young man’s game. I am in the final chapter of it, but I’m fighting better than ever. Let’s just ride it until the wheels fall off and I’m enjoying the hell out of it,” he said.
This marks Loughnane’s fourth consecutive season in the PFL’s grueling tournament format, where fighters can compete up to four times in seven months. Over the past three years, he has fought 12 times, with his 13th bout fast approaching. The demanding schedule initially led him to question whether he wanted to continue in the season-based system, but Loughnane has proven himself as a dominant “tournament fighter.”
Looking ahead, Loughnane is eyeing fresh opportunities as PFL expands its global reach, particularly after its merger with Bellator.
“I said to PFL now, put me in some fun fights after this. Let’s just do some fun stuff. I’ve proved myself in tournaments,” he said, hinting that this might be his final season in the traditional format.
For now, however, Loughnane’s focus is on defeating Khizriev. Confident in his ability to handle the undefeated prospect, he believes his extensive experience against high-level wrestlers gives him the edge. If successful, Loughnane plans to sit down with PFL executives to map out the next phase of his career, ensuring that his best days in MMA are far from over.
Comments