Brendan Loughnane was all class after his upset loss at 2023 PFL 4.
Loughnane (26-5) was knocked out in the first round by Jesus Pinedo (21-6-1) in the main event Thursday at Overtime Elite Arena. The loss eliminated Loughnane from the playoffs and marked the first time he’s ever been stopped in his professional MMA career.
Pinedo was a big underdog heading into the bout with 2022 PFL champion Loughnane and delivered one of the biggest upsets of the year when he dropped Loughnane with a knee up the middle, then finished him with strikes.
Afterward, Loughnane congratulated Pinedo on Twitter and reacted to the stunning loss.
Congrats champ. Took your opportunity and got me good. In 44 fights that’s the first time I’ve been stopped. Warrior 👏 pic.twitter.com/hgY5b8LlOU
— Brendan Loughnane (@BrendanMMA) June 9, 2023
High level sport is crazy. I’ll be back. https://t.co/fS9LRHc4UI
— Brendan Loughnane (@BrendanMMA) June 9, 2023
“High level sport is crazy. I’ll be back.”
Having scored a first-round TKO of Marlon Moraes in his opening bout, Loughnane just needed a win to advance to the playoffs, whereas Pinedo needed an early finish. Pinedo advanced to the postseason alongside featherweights Bubba Jenkins, Movlid Khaybulaev, and Gabriel Braga.
In the first round of the 2023 playoffs, Pinedo takes on Jenkins, who submitted Sung Bin Jo in the first round earlier in the night. The other half of the bracket features Braga, who knocked out Moraes, against Khaybulaev, who submitted Tyler Diamond.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 4.
