Triumphant Loughnane Secures Spot in $1M PFL Final.

Britain's Brendan Loughnane defeated Kai Kamaka III by split decision in Washington, DC, securing a spot in the PFL Finals with a chance to win $1 million (£756,880).

Loughnane found himself in a tight battle with American featherweight Kai Kamaka, who narrowly out-struck him in a highly technical showdown. However, it was Loughnane's precision and power that made the difference, landing the more damaging blows throughout the fight.

Now, at 34, Loughnane is on the verge of making history once again. After winning the PFL featherweight title in 2022, becoming the only Brit to do so, he's set to fight for his second championship. 

Standing in his way is Russia's Timur Khizriev, who earned his place in the final by defeating Brazil's Gabriel Braga by unanimous decision.

The 2024 PFL Finals, where Loughnane will aim for his second title and the $1 million prize, will take place later this year, with the date and venue yet to be announced.

After a closely contested start where both fighters exchanged leg kicks and rapid punch combinations, Manchester’s Brendan Loughnane seized control with a spinning back kick to Kai Kamaka’s body, visibly hurting him.

The impact forced Kamaka to retreat, but Loughnane quickly closed the gap, landing several knees in the clinch before the bell rang, saving Kamaka. This moment proved pivotal in a tight fight where both fighters exchanged numerous combinations.

Kamaka's strength was in his quick one-two punch combinations, while Loughnane excelled with his kicks, repeatedly targeting Kamaka's calves and landing spinning back kicks.

In the end, two judges scored the fight 29-28 each, but when the third judge announced a 30-27 score in Loughnane's favor, he knew he had secured the win. This victory marked Loughnane's 30th win in his 35-fight career and ended Kamaka's five-fight win streak.

Loughnane is now the second fighter from Manchester to reach the 2024 PFL Finals, following Dakota Ditcheva’s earlier victory over Jena Bishop in the women’s flyweight division. 

While Ditcheva has the chance to become Britain’s first female MMA world champion, Loughnane is on the path to becoming the nation’s first two-time PFL world champion.