John Sharp is the ref for this lightweight bout. Loughnane opens up with inside leg kicks, switching between orthodox and southpaw stances, sticking his jab in the shorter Wilkinson’s face. A side-kick to the body connects for Loughnane, who keeps moving backward as Wilkinson tries to get inside. Two minutes into the round, Wilkinson hits a takedown at the base of the cage and Loughnane closes up his guard. Loughnane throws elbows from his back while Wilkinson postures up and tries to create space to strike. Wilkinson goes to the body and throws an elbow over the top just before Loughnane scrambles back to his feet. Loughnane lands a few knees to the body and gets out of the clinch, steps in and thumps Wilkinson with a right hook. Another leg kick from Loughnane lands and he steps away from another Wilkinson shot to finish the round standing.

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Loughnane
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Loughnane
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Loughnane

Round 2
More leg kicks from Loughnane to open up round two, and he keeps on his back foot while Wilkinson tries to strike. Another Wilkinson shot is dodged, but he cracks Loughnane with a pair of hard right hands before shooting a single-leg against the fence. Loughnane stays up, gets an overhook and exits the clinch. A left hook from Loughnane connects and immediately opens up a cut above Wilkinson’s right eye. Loughnane continues to move around the outside, pumping his jab and trying to dodge Wilkinson’s offense. They exchange leg kicks inside and Wilkinson sneaks a right hand up the middle. He shoots a single and Loughnane sprawls on the fence, then circles out. Wilkinson won’t let up with his punches, even if Loughnane seems to be slipping most of them. A hook to the body by Loughnane is followed by a knee. Wilkinson stays up and comes forward again, eating another right hand.

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Loughnane
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Loughnane
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Loughnane

Round 3
Wilkinson gets through with a pair of punches and a leg kick before taking a leg kick inside from Loughnane and receiving a finger in the left eye. Referee Sharp calls for a pause and Wilkinson signals that he’s alright to continue. When they resume, it’s Loughnane leg-kicking again and snapping off left hands in Wilkinson’s face. Wilkinson shoots a single against the cage, gets stood up and is shoved away. Swiping right hands from Loughnane but he nearly gets taken down as Wilkinson catches a high knee. Wilkinson just keeps coming forward, pressing the action and again trying for a single-leg takedown. Loughnane reverses, scores with a knee to the breadbasket; Wilkinson, with his back to the fence, keeps busy with short right hands to Loughnane’s face and body. With 90 seconds to go, Loughnane wilts Wilkinson with a big right hand and tries to finish on the ground. Wilkinson recovers quickly, scrambles up and shoots. He can’t get the takedown and eats a knee for his trouble. Loughnane presses Wilkinson into the fence as the fight enters its final 30 seconds. Wilkinson rushes his man at the horn, bombing with heavy right hands and connecting with a few while Loughnane pulls up short on his counters.

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Loughnane (30-27 Loughnane)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Loughnane (30-27 Loughnane)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Loughnane (30-27 Loughnane)

Official result: Mike Wilkinson def. Brendan Loughnane via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00