Brendan Loughnane’s return to the PFL cage will be special.

It may seem routine for Loughnane (24-4) to fight once again, as his 2022 featherweight semifinal bout against Chris Wade marks his 8th fight under the PFL banner and 29th overall professional bout. However, 2022 PFL 9 will serve as Loughnane’s first fight in his home country with the PFL and first MMA fight in the U.K. since 2018.

2022 PFL Playoffs 3 takes place at Copper Box Arena in London. Loughnane fights in the co-main event of the card.

Loughnane is excited to compete on home soil. It’s something he’s been dreaming of since he joined the promotion in 2019.

“Extremely excited, I’ve been asking them to come since I first started,” Loughnane said at the 2022 PFL Playoffs 3 media call on Tuesday. “I’ve been trying to get a deal done over there, trying to help them with that. The deal is finally done. U.K. MMA is absolutely flying at the minute.

“Leon Edwards is actually fighting for a title on the same night as me, and you have Michael ‘Venom’ Page, Anthony Joshua, and loads of people from the same night in the U.K. It’s a big night for U.K. MMA. I’m so happy that they’re here.”

With a win against Wade, Loughnane would advance to the final and have the opportunity to win the 2022 PFL featherweight title along with the $1 million prize.

The 32-year-old has had a positive experience in the PFL. And with seven other fighters from the U.K. competing in that same card, Loughnane encourages his fellow countrymen to make the most of the opportunity they have at hand.

“I’m so happy that other people are getting the benefits that I’ve had, Loughnane said. “PFL has changed my life, they really have changed my life, and I owe them so much.

“I’m just so happy that they’re having these shows now, and they’re going to start to change people’s lives. But, and there’s a massive but in there now. Anyone that thinks they’re walking into PFL, and it’s going to be an easy road, forget about it.

“Mentally and physically, it’s the most straining thing you’ll ever do in your life. I’ve seen it with fighters. If you think you’re just going to walk in there to pick up a few paychecks and have some fights, forget about it. It’s going to be a long road.”