The 2024 PFL World Championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia closed out with a featherweight title bout between Brendan Loughnane and the undefeated Timur Khizriev.
A PFL tournament winner in 2022, Loughnane's 2024 run saw the 34-year-old give a rude promotional welcome to Bellator veterans Pedro Carvalho, Justin Gonzales, and Kai Kamaka to book his spot in the featherweight finals.
PFL 2024 World Championship Live Results & Highlights
Khizriev joined Bellator in 2022 and collected three wins before the promotion was acquired by the PFL, and in his first PFL tournament "Imam" defeated fellow Bellator veterans Brett Johns and Enrique Barzola before taking a split decision over Gabriel Braga in the playoffs.
Final Fight of the Night!#PFLWorldChampionship
— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 29, 2024
LIVE NOW ON ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/QXHXJy5g8S
The 29-year-old was favored to spoil Loughnane's plans of becoming a two-time tournament winner in Riyadh, and after the two exchanged strikes during the opening two minutes Khizriev hit a perfectly-timed takedown to bring his opponent to the mat for the rest of the round.
Timur Khizriev running away with the 3rd round#PFLWorldChampionship
— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 29, 2024
LIVE NOW ON ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/jgYyLSerbO
The two men were content to stand and trade for the entirety of the second round and most of the third before Khizriev once again took a bloodied Loughnane to the canvas, and although the former champion found some success in the later rounds it was clear that "Imam" had added to his undefeated record when the final bell sounded.
Timur Khizriev remains undefeated #andNOW is the 2024 PFL Featherweight World Champion!#PFLWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/4co9SjSqNU
— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 29, 2024
PFL Fighter Starches Opponent With Head Kick in Curtain-Jerker Fight
The result was the lone decision on an action-packed main card for the 2024 PFL World Championship, and the event saw Khizriev and nine other fighters claim PFL gold between the global season and PFL MENA finals.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!