Former UFC bantamweight Caolan Loughran is set to make his PFL debut at the Champions Series event in Dubai on October 3.
Loughran (10-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) will face Lewis McGrillen (12-1), the winner of the 2024 PFL Europe bantamweight tournament, in what marks his first fight since being released by the UFC earlier this year.
“The Don” closed out his UFC run on a high note with a victory over Nathan Fletcher at UFC London in March, but the promotion ultimately chose not to renew his contract.
Now, he steps into a tough test against McGrillen, who enters the bout on a four-fight winning streak and has finished 11 of his 12 professional victories inside the distance.
“It’s an ideal debut,” Loughran told Fighters Only. “McGrillen’s a big name domestically and – rightly or wrongly – I’m in the PFL to secure myself financially, and he is the best possible opponent to help me begin chasing that target.”
Bantamweight Picture Heats Up in PFL
Also added to the Dubai card is a bantamweight clash between former Bellator champion Sergio Pettis (24-7 MMA, 9-5 UFC) and Magomed Magomedov (21-4), who impressed in his promotional debut this past June with a win over Sarvarjon Khamidov.
Meanwhile, with Marcirley Alves (15-4) riding the momentum of his victory in the finals of the 2025 PFL World Tournament on Friday night, Caolan Loughran believes the stakes for October’s gala event couldn’t be higher.
“I have a sneaking suspicion that the PFL might slot the winner of our fight in with Marcirley, who won the belt last night,” the 29-year-old says. "I don’t think that I deserve that more than Magomedov or Pettis, but I think due to our position on the card and the numbers that our fight will do, there’s a chance that might happen.”
Getting past McGrillen will be no simple task. The Manchester Top Team standout has had a stellar year, racking up victories over Matiss Zaharovs, Dean Garnett, Alexander Luster, and Alan Philpott — establishing himself as one of the most dangerous prospects on the European circuit.
“It’s a great fight,” Loughran says. “He’s someone that can knock me out and I know how dangerous he can be, but I know that I should beat him. He’s the perfect debut for me.”
PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai - The Rematch Main Card:
- PFL Lightweight World Title Main Event: Usman Nurmagomedov (19-0, 1 NC) vs. Paul Hughes (14-2)
- PFL Light Heavyweight World Title Co-Main Event: Corey Anderson (19-6) vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-7-1)
- Lightweight Main Card Bout: Archie Colgan (12-0) vs. Jay-Jay Wilson (11-1)
- Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Lewis McGrillen (12-1) vs. Caolan Loughran (10-2)
- Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Magomed Magomedov (21-4) vs. Sergio Pettis (24-7)
Early Card:
- Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Pouya Rahmani (4-0) vs. Slim Trabelsi (8-0)
- 165-Pound Catchweight Bout: Zubaira Tukhugov (20-6-1) vs. Artem Lobov (14-15-1)
- Welterweight Showcase Bout: Omar El Dafrawy (14-5) vs. Florim Zendeli (10-1-1)
