"Guarded by politics" - PFL 2022 featherweight champion explains what makes MMA stand out from Boxing

PFL featherweight champion Brendan Loughnane spoke about the nature of mixed martial arts in comparison to boxing. In an interview with James English, the fighter from Manchester, England, said that the sport of boxing is very 'guarded by politics'.

Loughnane said that in comparison, mixed martial arts and the PFL are more straight-forward. They give you a name, and you're supposed to show up and fight.

Check out this excerpt from James English's interview with Brendan Loughnane:

Here's what Brendan Loughnane had to say about boxing in comparison to MMA:

"British boxing is f****d, though, innit? Like, they don't make the big fights today. Like, the difference with MMA and the PFL [in particular], they ring me and go, 'You're fighting blah, blah, on this date.' You don't have a choice. You don't say, 'Well, my promoter said this, I want more money."

The English MMA fighter beamed with pride as continued on about his sport with the following:

"You sign up for the PFL, [and] you sign up for the UFC; you get a name and date, mate. I love that! They go, 'Right, this - you and him would be a good fight. What, he's not lost in nine years. What, he's a world class this, he's a world class that - sweet! And we just get on with it as MMA fighters."

Brendan Loughnane has a promotional record of 8-1, and an overall MMA record of 26-4.

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Brendan Loughnane had two unsuccessful stints in the UFC

Brendan Loughnane had two stints in the UFC; first on TUF: The Smashes, and second on Dana White's Contender Series 17. He found relative success on the aforementioned TUF season, winning his first fight and losing his next. The only official UFC fight Brendan Loughnane had was a losing bout to Mike Wilkinson in the TUF: The Smashes finale.

In his next UFC stint, Loughnane faced Bill Algeo in Dana White's Contender Series 17. Even though he ended up winning the bout by unanimous decision, he wasn't awarded a contract. In contrast, his opponent Bill Algeo went on to fight in the UFC, compiling a 3-3 record.

Loughnane eventually found success in the Professional Fighters League, where he compiled a 8-1 record. The Manchester native has 14 knockouts and one submission victory in his MMA career.

He last fought at PFL 10 against Bubba Jenkins, where he finished the American fighter with punches in the fourth round to win the PFL featherweight title.