PFL Featherweights Embracing Unique Challenges of Season Format

PFL Featherweights Brendan Loughnane, Pedro Carvalho, Bubba Jenkins and Kai Kamaka are about to meet for a presser before their April 19 card in Chicago.

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Winds of change have blown into the Professional Fighters League this year, so it’s fitting that the promotion will make a stop in Chicago. But before the PFL blows into Wintrust Arena on April 19, a few of the organization’s top featherweights doubt this season will be a breeze for anyone.

Featherweight 2022 champion Brendan Loughnane has faced nearly the same group of fighters since signing with PFL in 2019. It’s not that he doesn’t enjoy fighting Bubba Jenkins or Chris Wade on a yearly basis, but the Manchester, England, native fancies a new challenge. That’s exactly what he’ll get this season against former Bellator MMA contender Pedro Carvalho and other debuting fighters.

“It’s been like me, Wade, Bubba, Movlid (Khaybulaev) for like three years and we just rotate,” Loughnane joked on a Zoom call Thursday afternoon. “So it’s nice to bring in all these fresh guys in … coming in seven months and four weights cuts ain’t easy. We’re going to see what everyone’s made of over the next several months.”

Loughnane (26-5) has fought with PFL since 2019 and has only lost twice. After winning the whole thing in 2022, he was knocked out the next year in the season opener by eventual champion Jesus Pinedo. Going into his match against Carvalho, Loughnane argues that the first fight of the season could be the most even matched.

“Usually, the advantages start in the second and third fights,” Loughnane said. “That’s when the grind starts, and the weight cuts get harder, and the injuries start to set in near the semifinals. This is the best version of us. We’re both coming off our first training camp, so this will be the best version of Brendan and Pedro.”

Jenkins may be fighting 29-year-old Bellator prospect Kai Kamaka III, but the 36-year-old shares Loughnane’s mindset. Jenkins heads into his fourth PFL season and hopes this year will be the year he finally captures the $1 million prize. Like Loughnane, Jenkins believes his experience dealing with the grueling PFL schedule will give him an advantage over any first-time competitors.

“It gives me an edge because some of the other fighters are saying the season picks up and it only gets tougher,” Jenkins said on the call. “There’s a reason why they call it the toughest test in mixed martial arts because of the back-to-back fights, the back-to-back camps, the back-to-back weigh-ins… Maybe I’m biased to say it makes me the favorite, but it definitely gives me a chance.”

Bellator fighters Carvalho and Kamaka aren’t underestimating the grind of the PFL season, but to them, it’s like any other challenge. Showing up and fighting is the name of the job, and they don’t care how often they have to do it to claim the title.

Carvalho (13-8) has lost his last two fights but sees the PFL season as the reboot his career needs. With the tournament format, Carvalho can focus on one fight and then simply move on to a bigger opportunity. No politics. No favorites. Just survive and advance.

“It reminds me of back in the day in Portugal when I was doing K-1 tournaments,” Carvalho said. “I like it. One of my goals after my last fight was to be more active, and I think I’m in the perfect place for that.”

Kamaka (12-5-1) has won three straight and was starting to garner some attention in the Bellator standings, a setback now would be damaging to his career goals. Making a strong impression in his promotional debut is crucial.

“Momentum plays a big role mentally for a lot of athletes and just in general, you don’t want to start off with a loss,” he said. “The win is most important in the fight game and must hold much weight.”