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- What: PFL Playoffs
- Who: Brendan Loughnane vs. Kai Kamaka III
- Date: Friday, August 13, 2024
- Location: The Anthem in Washington DC
- Time: Prelims (7:00 p.m. ET), Main Card (10:00 p.m. ET)
- How to Watch: Prelims (ESPN+), Main Card (ESPN)
The final semifinal round of the 2024 PFL Playoffs takes place on Friday at The Anthem in Washington DC. The fight card, which features the featherweight and welterweight semifinal matchups, is headlined by a 145-pound bout between the winner of the 2022 PFL featherweight tournament, Brendan Loughnane, and former UFC and Bellator competitor Kai Kamaka III. The winners of the four contests on the PFL 9 main card move on to the PFL finals, where they will fight for a $1 million prize. Below is some background information on Loughnane and Kamaka III before we look at the betting breakdown of the PFL playoffs.
Brendan Loughnane (29-5) signed with the PFL in 2019 after failing to earn a contract on the Dana White Contender Series. Loughnane made it to the semifinals in the 2021 tournament. He then won the tournament in 2022. Loughnane missed the PFL Playoffs in 2023.
Kai Kamaka III (14-5-1) was with the UFC between August 2020 and July 2021. He joined Bellator in 2021 and then made the move to PFL in 2024. Kamaka is on a five-fight winning streak. He earned his spot in the PFL playoffs with decision wins over Bubba Jenkins and Pedro Carvalho.
Before we look at the best bets for the Brendan Loughnane vs. Kai Kamaka III scrap on the PFL 9 card, check out the best PFL betting sites and where you can find our betting picks for the upcoming UFC Vegas 96 main event.
PFL playoffs: Brendan Loughnane vs. Kai Kamaka III betting picks
| Fighters |  |  |  |
| Kai Kamaka III | +275 | +275 | +225 |
| Brendan Loughnane | -350 | -350 | -350 |
Brendan Loughnane betting picks
Brendan Loughnane was infamously denied a contract on the DWCS in 2019 when Dana White said the fighter’s decision to shoot for a takedown late in a fight he was winning cost him his chance at fighting for the UFC. Not long after that, Loughnane inked a deal with the PFL. A little more than three years later, Loughnane knocked out Bubba Jenkins to win the 2022 PFL featherweight tournament and earn the $1 million prize. Last year, Loughnane missed the PFL Playoffs, but he’s back in the semifinals in 2024 and looking for his second $1 million prize.
Loughnane earned his way to the 2024 PFL Playoffs with two knockout wins. The 34-year-old has looked improved since he came up short in 2023. He is a good striker, but he can also wrestle if the fight calls for it. He has a fair fight IQ and can make in-fight adjustments when needed. He’s been in this situation before, so he knows what type of pressure he will face in making it to the PFL final. His ability to adjust during battle could come into play against an aggressive striker like Kai Kamaka III.
Kai Kamaka III betting picks
Kai Kamaka III had a rough go of things between November 2020 and April 2022 when he went 1-1-3. During that time he left the UFC as a free agent and signed with Bellator. Of his three losses, two came by split decision and he also had a majority draw. Which is to say, his record could have easily been 4-1 over that time if had changed a few things about his approach. Since that stretch Kamaka is 5-0 with four decisions and one TKO win.
Kamaka is a striker who moves in and out of range quickly with his punches. He also has strong calf kicks, which can slow his opponent. He also has good defense, employing better than average head movement. One thing that has worked against Kamaka in the past is that he is more of a counter-striker. If he is not aggressive or leading the dance he could find that his low output works against him on the scorecards. Kamaka is giving up two inches in height and reach in this matchup.
Kamaka needs to close distance and not let Loughnane control the pace and location of the fight. If he spends too much time on the outside, Kamaka will cede the advantage to Loughnane.
Best Bets: PFL playoffs – Brendan Loughnane vs. Kai Kamaka III
This should be a good battle to make it to the PFL featherweight final. Expect Loughnane and Kamaka to battle it out on the feet for 15 minutes on Friday night. The betting pick is Brendan Loughnane to defeat Kai Kamaka III by decision.
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