Brendan Loughnane has been one of the most important names in the PFL since his arrival to the promotion, finishing as a semifinalist in 2021 before becoming PFL featherweight champion in 2022. Loughnane, who enters tonight with 15 KO/TKO victories, defeated Marlon Moraes last year, but his quest for back-to-back championships was crushed in spectacular upset fashion by eventual champion Jesus Pinedo. Loughnane’s 2024 season got off on the right foot in April with a first-round TKO of former Bellator title challenger Pedro Carvalho.

 

After a Hall of Fame wrestling career as a youth in Colorado, Justin Gonzales wrestled at the University of North Colorado and Colorado State University-Pueblo. Gonzales went 9-0 on the amateur circuit before beginning his pro career in 2016 with seven straight wins and a regional featherweight belt. Gonzales went 3-3 in Bellator, with whom he signed in 2021, a run that included a split-decision win over fellow PFL fighter Kai Kamaka and losses to Mads Burnell and Timur Khizriev. Gonzales made his PFL debut in April, getting knocked out by Gabriel Braga.

 

Loughnane has already wrapped up a playoff spot based on results from earlier tonight, but a finish will lock him up the No. 1 seed once again. Gonzales, meanwhile, needs a first-round finish to clinch the last featherweight playoff spot, or else that will go to Kai Kamaka.

 

 

Round 1

 

Gonzales comes forward with a one-two. Gonzales lands the left hand twice. Front kick misses for Loughnane. Loughnane attempts a spinning back kick, but it’s blocked. Gonzales charges in and lands the right hand a couple of times. Spinning back kick from Loughnane is blocked again. Three-punch combination from Gonzales is answered by a right hand from Loughnane. Gonzales throws the left hand twice, and Loughnane wobbles him with a straight counter.

 

 

Loughnane continues to look to snipe. Loughnane lands a one-two. Combination from Gonzales lands. Low kick for Loughnane. One-two lands for Loughnane. One-two from Loughnane catches Gonzales coming in. Loughnane misses the right hand. Round kick to the body by Loughnane. Loughnane throws a combination. Left hand from Loughnane. Front kick by Loughnane. Combination on the inside from Gonzales. Gonzales misses a right hand.

 

 

Round 2

 

Both men throw the left hand. Low kick lands for Loughnane, and it briefly trips up Gonzales. Left hand by Loughnane. Gonzales shoots in and presses Loughnane against the fence. One-two from Gonzales before the clinch. Loughnane misses the right hand. Gonzales misses a left hand. Low kick misses for Gonzales. Gonzales looks for another level change, but Loughnane gets away. High kick from Loughnane is blocked.

 

Low kick by Loughnane. Jab by Loughnane. Another jab from Loughnane, followed by a low kick. High kick lands to the head of Gonzales, and a cut on his head is gushing now. Low kick from Loughnane, but Gonzales goes in to clinch up. Loughnane gets away. The referee calls for a timeout, and the doctor enters the SmartCage. The doctor has one look at it, and he waves off the fight!

 

 

Brendan Loughnane locks up the No. 1 seed, and he hopes this will lead him to a second PFL featherweight championship!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Brendan Loughnane defeats Justin Gonzales by 2nd round TKO (Dr. stoppage, 3:34) earning 5 points in the PFL Featherweight Division

  • Loughnane clinches the #1 seed in the playoffs
  • Loughnane moves his career record to 29-5 with his 16th career knockout
  • Loughnane is aiming for his 2nd PFL title after winning the 2022 PFL FW belt

 

2024 PFL Featherweight Semifinals

#1 Brendan Loughnane vs. #4 Kai Kamaka

#2 Gabriel Braga vs. #3 Timur Khizriev