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Timur Khizriev delivered a dominant performance in the 2024 PFL World Championships main event, decisively defeating former champion Brendan Loughnane over five brutal rounds to claim the featherweight title. Though he didn’t secure a finish, the undefeated Russian left no doubt about his superiority, showcasing his well-rounded skill set in both striking and grappling.
From the opening bell, Khizriev imposed his will on Loughnane, who struggled to find answers to the relentless pressure. A spinning attack from Loughnane in the first round backfired, allowing Khizriev to secure a takedown and dominate from the top position. On the feet, Khizriev’s powerful jab repeatedly found its target, breaking Loughnane’s nose and opening a gruesome gash that bled profusely throughout the fight.
“That was a long and tough road but with God’s help, I got here,” Khizriev said after his victory. “I believed I picked apart my opponent. I knew everything he was going to do, and today I was here to counter him. He is a former champion. He is a tough fighter. He took a lot of damage, and I was honestly surprised. He’s a tough dude.”
Khizriev’s precise striking was complemented by slick uppercuts and well-timed takedowns that kept Loughnane off balance. The damage inflicted was evident as Loughnane’s face and body were smeared with blood, and his movement became noticeably restricted, possibly due to an issue with his right knee.
Despite Loughnane’s resilience, Khizriev continued to control the fight, landing clean combinations and capitalizing on his opponent’s compromised mobility. The judges’ scorecards reflected his dominance with scores of 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46, giving Khizriev a well-deserved unanimous decision victory.
With this win, Khizriev improved his record to 18-0 and capped off an undefeated season in 2024, earning the PFL featherweight title and a $1 million prize. As he looks ahead to 2025, Khizriev has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the featherweight division.
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