While many may saw it as a misfortune, Brendan Loughnane looks at being snubbed by UFC president Dana White as a blessing.

The English featherweight standout remains a protagonist in one of the most controversial calls in the history of Dana White’s Contender Series even almost two years later. Loughnane (19-3) was heavily criticized by White after going for a takedown on current UFC fighter Bill Algeo with 10 seconds left in their bout in the summer of 2019.

Loughnane won after dominating most of the action over the course of three rounds. Many thought it was an exciting bout and one of the most impressive and complete performances of the night. But White thought otherwise and didn’t award Loughnane with a UFC contract, which surprised many.

The UFC snub caused plenty of controversy and led free agent Loughnane to sign with the PFL.

“That’s why everyone knows me,” Loughnane told MMA Junkie. “Everyone knows me as takedown Brendan or 10-second Brendan, (but) I’m passed that stuff. What’s the point of me sitting here and dwelling on it?

“It’s just negative for me. It is what it is. I knew what I was signing up for when I went on that show. I’m a prize fighter, and I took the fight, and it didn’t go my way. Well, it did, but it ultimately didn’t. I think there was a long-term goal for me and there was a bigger plan, and that’s right now to be in PFL and to secure mine and my family’s future.

“I mean, how long would it take to make a $1 million in the UFC? It would take a while. And for me, I can do that in six months. I know that I’m an elite fighter. There’s no doubt about it. Bill Algeo is an elite fighter, and for me to win every single second of that fight, and he’s gone on to win in the UFC.”

But it’s not only the chance to win $1 million that attracted Loughnane to PFL. In the lead up to the final, where a champion is crowned and awarded the $1 million check, the individual fight purses for the season and tournament bouts are solid, among other pluses, according to Loughnane.

“Even the purse, the fight purse is a good purse all the way leading up to the final,” Loughnane explained. “I know at least the four dates I’m going to fight, and I know I’m going to have four great opponents. I know I’m going to get sponsorships. So there’s massive positives to fight for PFL, and I get along with everyone backstage, so for me, I’ve found a home here.”

But not all is positive. Loughnane admits he had a tough time in 2020, as the PFL canceled its season due to the ongoing pandemic. Unlike PFL fighters Kayla Harrison and Muhammad Usman, who were given the option to compete outside the organization while they waited for PFL to resume, Loughnane sat out the entire year with no option to fight elsewhere.

The 31-year-old hasn’t competed since December 2019 when he defeated David Valente in the 2019 season finale of PFL, as part of a non-tournament bout. Loughnane admits the year-long layoff wasn’t easy to deal with, but he’s put that behind him as he prepares to face former UFC fighter Sheymon Moraes on Friday in Atlantic City, N.J.

“Very tough, this is what I live for, this is what I train for, and that was the hardest bit – not being able to compete, not being able to further my record and be on further into my career,” Loughnane said. “I just wanted to be as active as possible, and that’s the reason why I signed up for this tournament and this format. No other reason. I just wanted to fight as quick as possible, and now that PFL is back around, there you go, there’s four for you in the space of six months. Let’s go.”