MMA Star 'Let Go' by UFC Speaks Out on Career-High Pay Ahead of PFL Debut
Caolan Loughran is in line to earn a career-high payday when he makes his PFL debut following his UFC departure.
Loughran's four-fight UFC deal expired following his victory over Paddy Pimblett's teammate Nathan Fletcher on the undercard of UFC London last March.
The promotion chose not to renew it, leading to his entry into free agency and it proved to be a lucrative venture.
The Irishman was the subject of several offers, including deals from Russia, before he ultimately decided to sign for PFL, who return to Dubai on Friday for the blockbuster rematch between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes for the lightweight title.
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Ahead of making his promotional debut at PFL Champions Series 3, Loughran, 28, explained that it was an 'easy' decision to sign for PFL, revealing he is set to bag the highest purse of his budding MMA career.
On leaving the UFC, Loughran told SPORTbible: "That was my fourth fight of my UFC deal. Initially I was put through the extra media after the fight, I was like; 'happy days' - I won't get my manager to go to them yet. Then about a week later, the UFC drug team came to my gym.
"Then about two weeks later we go back to the UFC and Sean Shelby (UFC matchmaker) says hold off it's a numbers things, wait till after Dana White's Contender Series then we'll look to resign or whatever. I was like; 'What does that mean? Do you want me now?'
"Dana White's Contender Series is still going on now so when's he going to match me... next February? No chance is that happening. I'm in my prime and I want to compete ever sooner than now. I was hot-headed and went straight to Dan Hardy. Very, very quickly it became very positive. Really, really got me going with what he was talking about.
"I tried to keep it under tabs that I was technically a free agent. I got some secure offers from Russia. It was great craic. [After] the first conversation with Dan Hardy, (Director of Fighter Operations for PFL Europe) it was honestly a very easy decision."
On whether he has any ill feelings towards the UFC over his exit, Loughran replied: "I kind of expected certain things but none at all. This is the fight game and in business there's no emotion. I'm really happy to be here in the PFL."
Explaining the reason behind his move to PFL, he added: "First and foremost, this is the most money I'm ever going to make in the cage on Friday but not only just that, the potential of what I can do in the next year. I can be the PFL world champion quickly or I can be in the PFL world series next year. Both sound really, really good."
'The Don' enters the PFL as a marque signing given his spell with the UFC and he has the opportunity to make a big splash when he faces Jack Cartwright in Dubai on Friday.
A victory over Cartwright could set him up with a fight against top contenders Magomed Magomedov and Sergio Pettis, who face each other at PFL Champions Series 3, for a shot at the title.
Nasir Jabbar