You don’t reach the point Brendan Loughnane has in his distinguished career without experiencing some bedlam along the way.
On Friday, the 34-year-old will attempt to become a two-time PFL featherweight title holder when he takes on Russian Timur Khizriev in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
It’s a chance for Loughnane to make history following his triumph in 2022.
He laughs and shakes his head in a moment of reflection when he looks back at some of the remarkable moments during a 14-year, 35-fight career which has left him on the verge of becoming the first British two-time world champion.
“I’ve been knocked out, I’ve knocked people out, I’ve subbed people, I’ve gone the distance, I’ve tasted my own blood, tasted their blood, you name it I’ve done it,” says Loughnane.
From competing in a last-minute fight on holiday wearing his pink swimming shorts, to powering through a bout with a broken arm, he talks BBC Sport through some of his extraordinary fighting memories.
‘I felt like the king of Malia’
In 2010, Loughnane decided to celebrate his first professional win by going on holiday with his friends to Malia – a popular vacation spot on the Greek island Crete.
Just three days later, he was competing again as he recalls: “I was walking down the strip, and some people said, ‘do you want to come and watch some cage fighting tonight’?
“I went down there in a pair of pink beach shorts, but someone pulled out on the night, so I ended up saying, ‘stuff it, I’ll do it’, no gumshield, nothing.
“I ended up beating the Greek champion over there – and it was like I was the king of Malia, they were parading me through the streets.”
Loughnane has some of the best cardio in the sport, with his resting heart rate currently 29 beats-per-minute in anticipation of fighting Khizriev, and it would have come in handy that night in Malia.
“I was intoxicated too… let’s not beat around the bush,” he adds with a laugh.
“It was three days in so I’d been intoxicated for three days. It was my first lads’ holiday.”
‘I’ll never forget it, my arm went ice cold’
Seven years later, Loughnane had just suffered the third loss of his career and he was determined not to experience successive defeats – despite a broken arm.
“I ended up doing a spinning backfist, my opponent put his head down and my arm snapped,” he adds.
“I showed my corner and they said they were gonna stop the fight but I said, ‘no, I’ll find a way’.
“I came back out for the second round, my arm’s hanging down at my side, and I’m jabbing him with my other. Then the guy realises my arm’s broken so I head kicked him and knocked him out – insane.”
Loughnane says he somehow found the will to win, despite excruciating pain.
“I’ll never forget when I did it and tried to shake it off, my arm just went ice cold, and then the real real real pain kicked in. When my adrenaline had stopped I was screaming in the back.”
‘Respect means more than belts or money’
Loughnane remembers fighting too in front of fans who were blowing cigarette smoke in the cage, competing moments before a riot, and flying to Australia on 24 hours notice for a bout.
He describes his career as a “rollercoaster” and will reach another high should he beat 29-year-old Khizriev.
Because of the PFL’s tournament format, Loughnane has already fought and won three times this year to set up the clash with Khizriev.
“It’s not like you can win the belt and defend it – you’ve got to win four fights on the bounce to win another tournament,” he adds.
“I think it’s been underplayed about what I’m about to do here.”
To fellow fighters, Loughnane’s achievements have not gone unnoticed, with UFC legend Randy Couture describing him as “one of the greatest of his generation”.
To the Mancunian, this is what matters most.
“It’s incredible, motivating and very humbling coming from people like Randy Couture,” admits Loughnane.
“And listen, that sort of stuff there, getting respect from your peers, is worth way more to me than a belt or money.
These people, who I’ve admired my whole career, and they’re watching my martial arts and enjoy my version of what they do? it’s incredible.”
