British MMA star Brendan Loughnane leaves opponent Marlos Moraes after brutal leg kicks in PFL victory

BRENDAN LOUGHNANE kicked off his campaign in the Professional Fighters League by making Marlos hold out Morae’s barley.

Loughnane went all the way last year, winning the PFL featherweight title and a $1 million prize check.

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And when he returned to the cage this season, he faced former UFC title challenger Moraes in his opening bout.

Loughnane, 33, put on a brutal display of leg kicks that eventually left his Brazilian opponent unable to continue after two rounds.

He said: “I just wanted violence. I sat in the back and fell asleep watching all the fights. I thought, ‘What the hell is going on?’

“I had to come out and save the day, I did.”

The PFL is a season format consisting of qualifying and knockout rounds.

In the first two bouts, points are earned per method of victory, with the top four in each weight advancing to the semifinals.

From there it’s win-or-go home to set up a finals bout with the title belt and $1 million check lying in wait.

Loughnane leads the featherweight standings after earning five points for his second-round stoppage.

Moraes, 34, was knocked down twice with a barrage of leg kicks and after he failed to get to his feet the referee waved it off.

Loughnane added: “I think my message was clear, my message is I’m coming back for my belt.

“I don’t believe in restarting, that was my first title defense.”

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