Considered one of the best featherweights in the world, Brendan Loughnane is off to a strong start this PFL season, becoming the only featherweight to earn bonus points for finishing in the first featherweight event of the season. Loughnane, a 13-year professional MMA veteran, is 9-1 in the PFL, with five straight wins and 14 of his 26 career wins coming by knockout.
After finishing as a semi-finalist in 2021, Loughnane defeated Ryoji Kuto and Ako Huskik in last year’s regular season to become the 2022 BFL Featherweight Champion with a fourth-round decision over Chris Wade and Bubba Jenkins in the semi-finals. Loughnane beat Marlon Moraes in the second round in April.
Jesus Pinedo is just as impressive as a finisher, with 15 of his 20 wins coming before the final bell. A striker who believes his speed is the key to his success, Pinedo made his PFL debut in April with a split decision against Gabriel Braga.
Any kind of win would earn Loughnane a playoff spot, and any kind of finish would make him the No. 1 seed in the PFL playoffs at featherweight. 1 will secure the spot. Meanwhile, Pinedo is in a win-or-go-home situation in this match.
Round 1
Pinedo comes forward with a slight flurry, but Loughnane moves away from him. Loughnane takes the center of SmartCage and looks to control the action. Pinedo comes forward, but Loughnane dodges and lands a right hand on Pinedo. Pinedo lands a left that trips Loughnane a bit.
Then, in absolutely stunning fashion, Pinedo lands a knee to the face in the clinch – his foot lands on Loughnane’s liver – knocking Loughnane out cold! Follow-up shots lead to the referee stepping in!
Upset! Upset! Distraught, Jesus goes to Pinedo #PFLPLAYOFFS!
Loughnane is sacked!#PFL regular season Live now
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomD5xg pic.twitter.com/WOxITRo19X— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 9, 2023
Just when it looked like Loughnane or Chris Wade would clinch the final playoff spot, both did thanks to Pinedo’s quick-six, first-round finish!
Jesus Pinedo clinches his spot in the PFL Featherweight Playoffs in epic fashion!
Official result
Jesus Pinedo def. Brendan Loughnane via first-round KO (knee, 1:34)
Featherweight Playoff Seeds:
1: Bubba Jenkins – 9 points
2: Gabriel Braga – 9 points
3: Movlid Khaybulaev – 8 points
4: Jesus Pinedo – 6 points
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