Atlanta, GA – No longer chasing the title, but now defending it, PFL featherweight champion Brendan Loughnane comes into PFL 4 against Jesus Pinedo with a different aura about him this Thursday night.
“It’s changed a lot. It’s made me very confident. It’s reaffirmed what I always knew. I was capable of becoming a champion. Now I am,” Loughnane told Cageside Press among other media on Tuesday.
“Now I’m the defending champion. There’s a different energy about me, different aura, and I’m excited to defend it.”
Defend it he shall against Pinedo in Atlanta. Pinedo (20-6) comes into the fight following a close split-decision loss to Gabriel Braga in April. Even with the record Pinedo has, and the success, Loughnane opted to not really study too much tape on his opponent.
“I stopped watching opponents a long time ago. I just kind of find out on the night. That’s my plan. I couldn’t tell you much about what he does. I know he’s 20-6, he’s young, he’s hungry, and he wants what I’ve got,” Loughnane said.
“Exciting fight that’s all I know really. I watched one round against Braga. Good fight, south paw, exciting.”
The fun part of the PFL season format is not really knowing who your next opponent is. Loughnane will have to wait and see how the card shakes out on Thursday night, but he doesn’t really care who it is.
“I don’t know who I’m going to get (next), but as the old saying goes, anyone can get it,” he said.
It’s tough to speak to a current PFL champion and not ask about the biggest signing in PFL history in the form of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. It’s such a big deal that Loughnane hopes to be part of Ngannou’s first card in the promotion.
“I’m happy. I’m really, really happy. Amazing signing. The guys behind the scenes are doing a great job brining other people like the Jake Paul’s involved. I’m really happy for the company they deserve it,” he said.
“I want to be on the Francis undercard for sure. Like how many eyes are going to watch that specially if Jake’s on it too. Jake and Francis I would love to be the third in line on that card. I think the whole world will be tuned in.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Brendan Loughnane above. He headlines PFL 4 against Jesus Pinedo on Thursday night in Atlanta.
