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PFL Exclusive: Brendan Loughnane hails Britain’s ‘golden era’ in MMA ahead of Chris Wade showdown

Brendan Loughnane

Britain’s Brendan Loughnane will be looking to seal his place in the PFL featherweight final when he takes on American Chris Wade in a much-anticipated grudge match.

Loughnane will have home advantage as he takes on his rival at London's Copper Box Arena this Saturday night. 

The 32-year-old picked up victories over Ryoji Kudo and Ago Huskic to secure his spot in this year's play-offs. He is now just two wins away from his first PFL title and the $1million prize.

Looking ahead to the bout, Loughnane told Planet Sport: "I've been doing this since I was 16 years old, this is just another fight for me.

"Usually I like the guys [I'm fighting], this is probably only the second time I've not liked the guy that I've gone in there with. But who cares, it's not going to matter on the night."
Loughnane and Wade have gone back and forth on social media and in the press ahead of their semi-final bout.
When asked whether he respects the American, Loughnane said: "Do I f**k, I don't respect him one bit. I respect his skills as a martial artist but I don't respect him as a person."

Wade previously told Planet Sport he considered himself to be a top five featherweight in the world - no matter the organisation.

Loughnane laughed off that suggestion, saying: "I'm not even into all that and rankings and saying 'I'm better than this guy, I'm better than that guy'. I wouldn't go down that road, saying something so stupid. It is what it is. Even speaking about it gets my blood boiling."

Last month, it was the UFC who took London by storm with British talents such as Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann and Tom Aspinall all entering the octagon.

Loughnane believes MMA in the UK is going through an incredible period, adding: "I am so happy for all the British fighters at the minute. We're having a massive golden era as they say. I really think it's going to last for a while, I really do."
While he may not be competing for the UFC, Loughnane believes that the PFL isn't far away from competing against the giant of the sport.
He added: "A lot of the guys have come from the UFC and been smashed in the PFL so it just shows that the level is not very far away to be honest."

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