BRENDAN LOUGHNANE kickstarted his Professional Fighters League campaign by leaving Marlos Moraes barely able to stand up.
Loughnane went all the way last year, winning the PFL’s featherweight title and $1million prize cheque.
And returning to the cage this season, he faced ex-UFC title challenger Moraes in his opening bout.
Loughnane, 33, put on a brutal display of leg kicks, which ultimately left his Brazilian opponent unable to continue after two rounds.
He said: “I just wanted violence. I was sat in the back just falling asleep watching all the fights. I was like, ‘What the f*** is going on?’
“I had to come out and save the day, that’s what I did.”
The PFL is a seasonal format, consisting of qualifying and knockout stages.
Points are earned per method of victory in the opening two bouts, with the top four in each weight progressing into the semi-finals.
From there, it is win-or-go home setting up a finale fight where the title belt and $1m cheque lay in wait.
Loughnane tops the featherweight standings after earning five points for his second-round stoppage.
Moraes, 34, was floored twice with a barrage of leg kicks and after being unable to make it to his feet, the referee waved off the contest.
Loughnane added: “I think my message was clear, my message is I am coming back for my belt.
“I don’t believe in starting again, that was my first title defence.”
