Contender Series Alum Brendan Loughnane Signs with Professional Fighters League

Welcome to the PFL family, Brendan Loughnane! pic.twitter.com/VwJHFchcPG

— #PFLmma (@ProFightLeague) July 23, 2019

Brendan Loughnane’s approach on Dana White’s Contender Series didn’t sit well with the UFC president, and it ultimately cost him a contract with the Las Vegas-based promotion.

It didn’t take Loughnane long to find another suitor. The Professional Fighters League on Tuesday announced that it has signed the English featherweight to an exclusive contract.

Loughnane was a subject of controversy following his appearance on Season 3, Episode 1 of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series on June 18. By most accounts, the 29-year-old Manchester native put forth a solid performance en route to earning a unanimous verdict against Bill Algeo. However, his decision to shoot for a takedown late in the fight prompted White to pass when it came time to hand out a UFC contract.

“When you come onto this show, unlike any other show you would fight in or whatever, I’m looking for killers,” White said following the event. “If you get in here and you make it to this show and you want to get into the UFC, show me. Don’t double leg when you’ve got 10 seconds left in the fight.”

Loughnane owns a 17-3 career mark that includes stints in Absolute Championship Akhmat and the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts. He also has one Octagon appearance under his belt, falling to Mike Wilkinson via unanimous decision at UFC on FX 6 in December 2012.

“Contract is signed,” Loughnane wrote. “Ready to head over the pond and get that [$1 million].”

Loughnane will likely be part of the field for PFL’s third season but is expected to fight for the promotion in a non-tournament bout in October, according to ESPN.