Caolan Loughran loving ‘pressure’ of domestic dust-up at PFL Belfast one year on from UFC release

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Caolan Loughran has recognised it’s all or nothing ahead of his fight at PFL Belfast, live on talkSPORT.Following his release from the UFC in 2025, the 29-year-old was beaten in an upset on his PFL debut last October against Jack Cartwright, who claimed a unanimous decision win on short notice.Loughran said he’s been the ‘victim’ of not feeling pressure in previous fights and is relishing his chance to right the wrongs at PFL BelfastGetty“I can’t dwell on it, I just have to get better,” Loughran said during a face-off with opponent Alan Philpott on talkSPORT’s YouTube, where fans in the UK and Ireland can watch PFL Belfast for free on Thursday night.“I’m just trying to focus on now, going forward, and new energies as opposed to looking back to then.”Loughran welcomes all pressure for PFL BelfastLoughran moved home after his defeat to Cartwright to join up with the team at Fight Academy Ireland (FAI) in Belfast, alongside PFL star Paul Hughes.Hughes was meant to headline this year’s PFL Belfast card following a stunning 42-second KO against Bruno Miranda in his hometown last May, but pulled out in March to have knee surgery.He was scheduled to face New Zealander Jay Jay Wilson, who now faces undefeated Irish prospect Darragh Kelly instead.Loughran, meanwhile, is part of one of two domestic dust-ups on the PFL Belfast card as he takes on Northern Ireland’s Philpott, with Eoghan Masoliver vs Shane Mullen another all-Ireland affair.“I actually want that pressure,” Loughran responded when Philpott threatened his career will be over if he suffers his second consecutive defeat under the PFL banner.“I’ve been the victim of not feeling pressure in fights before, but if that was me ‘done’ what would you be at 17 [defeats] you f***ing gobs****?”Philpott is a seasoned mixed martial arts veteran, having contested 38 bouts since his pro debut in 2011.Like Loughran, the 33-year-old has moved back home for his PFL Belfast camp, having lived in Australia for years, training with the likes of UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.