Brendan Loughnane earned six points in a victory Saturday in Chicago. The win didn’t come without some controversy.

In the 2024 PFL 3 co-main event, Loughnane (28-5) defeated Pedro Carvalho (13-9) with punches at 1:26 of Round 1. The stoppage by referee Kevin MacDonald was controversial in the eyes of many viewers.

Loughnane stunned Carvalho in one of the opening exchanges. Carvalho spent most of the short, 86-second fight trying to weather the storm. When he fell on his back, Loughnane threatened punches from a standing position. After Loughnane landed several punches, Carvalho dove for a foot as Loughnane hit him again.

MacDonald dove in and waved off the fight, much to the protest of Carvalho and fans at Wintrust Arena. Regardless, the result held and Loughnane now finds himself atop the featherweight leaderboards.

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BRENDAN LOUGHNANE KICKS OFF 2024 WITH A W!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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Loughnane, 34, bounces back after a TKO loss to Jesus Pinedo in the 2023 PFL featherweight final. The win Friday was his fifth in six most recent outings.

Carvalho, 28, has lost six of his eight most recent outings. A former Bellator title challenger, Carvalho’s fight Friday was his first under the PFL banner.

The up-to-the-minute 2024 PFL 3 results include:

• Brendan Loughnane def. Pedro Carvalho via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:26
• Shamil Musaev def. Logan Storley via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:27
• Gabriel Braga def. Justin Gonzales via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:59
• Goiti Yamauchi def. Neiman Gracie via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Kai Kamaka III def. Bubba Jenkins via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Adam Borics def. Enrique Barzola via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Timur Khizriev def. Brett Johns via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Murad Ramazanov def. Laureano Staropoli via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:07
• Don Madge def. Brennan Ward via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:02
• Thad Jean def. Romain Debienne via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:07

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL 3.

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