You don’t get to the point that Brendan Loughnane has reached in his impressive career without experiencing chaos along the way.
On Friday, the 34-year-old will attempt to become a two-time PFL featherweight titleholder when he takes on Russia’s Timur Khizriev in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
It’s a chance for Loughnane to make history after his 2022 win.
He laughs and shakes his head in a moment of reflection as he looks back on some of the remarkable moments during a career spanning 14 years and 35 fights that has taken him to the brink of becoming Britain’s first two-time world champion.
“I’ve been knocked out, I’ve knocked people out, I’ve dunked 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 taking part in a last-minute fight on holiday while wearing his pink swimming trunks, to coming through a fight with a broken arm, he tells BBC Sport about some of his extraordinary fighting memories.
‘I felt like the king of Malia’
In 2010, Loughnane decided to celebrate his first professional victory by going on holiday with his friends to Malia – a popular holiday destination on the Greek island of 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 watch cage fighting tonight?’
“I went there in pink beach shorts, but someone stopped that night, so I finally said, ‘just stop, I’ll do it’, no gum protector, nothing.
“I ended up beating the Greek champion there – and it was like I was the king of Malia, they paraded me through the streets.”
Loughnane has some of the best cardio in the sport, with his resting heart rate currently at 29 beats per minute ahead of the fight against Khizriev, and it would have come in handy that night in Malia.
“I was drunk too… let’s not beat around the bush,” he adds, laughing.
“It lasted three days, so I was already drunk for three days. It was my first boys’ holiday.”
‘I will never forget it, my arm became ice cold’
Seven years later, Loughnane had just suffered the third defeat of his career and was determined not to experience consecutive defeats – despite a broken arm.
“I ended up doing a spinning backfist, my opponent put his head down and my arm broke,” he adds.
“I showed my corner and they said they were going to stop the fight, but I said, ‘No, I’ll find a way.’
“I came back for the second round, my arm is hanging by my side, and I poke him with my other one. Then the guy realizes my arm is broken, so I kicked him with the head and knocked him out -knocked out – insane.”
Loughnane says he has 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 went ice cold and then the real, real pain started. When my adrenaline stopped, I was screaming into my back.”
‘Respect means more than belts or money’
Loughnane also remembers fighting in front of fans who blew cigarette smoke into the cage, fighting right before a riot and flying to Australia for a fight 24 hours in advance.
He describes his career as a “rollercoaster” and will reach a new high if he beats 29-year-old Khizriev.
Due to 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 and defend the title; you have to win four fights to win another tournament,” he adds.
“I don’t think enough attention has been paid to what I’m going to do here.”
For fellow fighters, Loughnane’s achievements have not gone unnoticed, with UFC legend Randy Couture describing him as “one of the greatest of his generation”.
For the Mancunian, this is the most important thing.
“It’s incredible, motivating and very humbling from people like Randy Couture,” admits Loughnane.
“And listen, that kind of thing, getting respect from your peers, is worth a lot more to me than a belt or money.
“These people, who I’ve admired my entire career, watching my martial arts and enjoying my version of what they do? It’s incredible.”
