Preview: PFL 4 ‘Loughnane vs. Pinedo’

The Professional Fighters League’s best laid plans for its second leg of the 2023 season went up in flames following a slew of drug test failures and pending sanctions. Nonetheless, the show must go on, and PFL 4 still features some intriguing storylines despite the absence of some notable names.

At the top of the card, Brendan Loughnane looks to continue his bid to repeat as featherweight champion against Jesus Pinedo, while Movlid Khaybulaev, who could be the most feared 145-pounder in the field, meets Tyler Diamond in the co-headliner. Meanwhile, top light heavyweight prospect Joshua Silveira will attempt to make a statement with defending champion Rob Wilkinson no longer part of the 205-pound draw.

PFL 4 takes place on Thursday at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta. The main card airs on ESPN and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, while prelims are broadcast on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

Now to the PFL 4 “Loughnane vs. Pinedo” preview:

Featherweights

Brendan Loughnane (26-4, 9-1 PFL) vs. Jesus Pinedo (20-6-1, 0-1 PFL)

Loughnane began defense of his 2022 PFL crown in impressive fashion, as he dispatched Marlon Moraes via second-round technical knockout in the PFL 1 headliner. Leg kicks were the weapon of choice for the Englishman, who was never truly threatened by the former World Series of Fighting champion. While Moraes is clearly a diminished version of the fighter he once was, credit Loughnane for not allowing his veteran foe to have any hope in a dominant victory.

Pinedo’s PFL debut, meanwhile, was not especially memorable. Originally matched with Sung Bin Jo, the two-time UFC veteran was forced to undergo an opponent change just 24 hours before the event. That would normally seem to favor the athlete who had been preparing to fight, but not in this case: Pinedo struggled to defend the low kicks of Gabriel Braga, and that compromised movement hindered him throughout the contest in a split decision defeat.

Loughane will certainly notice that Pinedo struggled with low kicks and, as he already proved, is more than capable of implementing them into his arsenal. The former Dana White’s Contender Series competitor will have to navigate a 3.5-inch reach deficit against the rangy Pinedo, but he should have enough offensive options at his disposal to where that will not be an issue. Pinedo is willing to stand and trade, but he has not shown fight-altering power beyond the regional level thus far. Loughnane may need some time to get a feel for his opponent, but his ability to use intelligent movement and stance switches behind a solid jab and arsenal of kicks should be enough to get the job done via decision.

Continue Reading » Khaybulaev vs. Diamond