Jack Cartwright dominates two rounds to win short-notice bout

Jack Cartwright competed in various disciplines – boxing, wrestling, and kickboxing – before transitioning fully to MMA, where he’d win his first 10 fights in a row. A former champion in a prominent European MMA regional promotion, Cartwright has scored finishes in nine of his 12 victories thus far. Cartwright makes his PFL debut tonight off a win over Mate Sanikidze in September 2024.

A kickboxing expert, Caolan Loughran was also a bantamweight champion in this same prominent regional promotion. The Irish fighter has won 10 of his 12 pro fights thus far, picking up seven finishes. Loughran makes his PFL debut tonight off a split decision win over Nathan Fletcher in London this past March.

Who will be victorious in this 140-pound contract weight battle?

Round 1

A couple of jabs between both men to start. Cartwright with a low kick. Cartwright flashing his jabs. A couple of left hands from Cartwright. Low kick by Cartwright. Cartwright drops Loughran with a right hand! Clinch now, and Cartwright lands a knee. Cartwright has a hold of Loughran, but he frees himself. Cartwright connects on a right hand. Loughran flashes the left hand. Low kick by Loughran. Left jab by Cartwright. One-two by Loughran, and Cartwright comes back with a small flurry.

A pair of left hands from Cartwright. Strong right uppercut by Cartwright. Left hand lands for Cartwright. Cartwright’s striking speed on display. Low kick by Loughran. One-two and a right hand miss for Loughran. Both men land a left. Strong double left hook lands for Cartwright! Clinch battle, and Cartwright lands a knee. Left hand by Cartwright. Right hand from Cartwright. Left hand lands for Loughran. Left hand lands for Cartwright. Low kick from Cartwright. Cartwright with a lean-in right hand. Exchange of right hands.

Cartwright connects!#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW | Streaming on the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/38EMDaC08E

— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 3, 2025

Round 2

An exchange early here. Left hands from Cartwright. Low kick by Cartwright. Low kick by Loughran. Small combination by Cartwright. Right hand by Cartwright. Left hand by Loughran. Loughran goes in, but Cartwright avoids the takedown attempt. Left hand by Cartwright. Another exchange, and Loughran shoots in and scores a takedown.

Loughran stays on top in control with his pressure, but the referee stands them up with less than two minutes to go in the round, unsatisfied with activity. Left hand by Cartwright. Cartwright continues to land with the lead hand. Cartwright avoids the right hand of Loughran and counters with a takedown. Loughran gets back up, but Cartwright presses him into the fence. Cartwright goes for a guillotine by the fence, but Loughran reverses the position. Loughran with a takedown again. Loughran landing elbows from the top. Cartwright responds with some of his own from the bottom.

Round 3

Cartwright lands a small combination. Low kick from Loughran. Cartwright with a left hand. Body shot by Cartwright. Loughran shoots in and gets the double-leg takedown. Cartwright builds himself back up near the fence. Right hands from Loughran. Loughran presses Cartwright into the fence. Loughran pins down one of Cartwright’s legs with his own. Loughran looking for some inside shots from the top. A couple of elbows from the top by Loughran.

Cartwright gets his guard up. Loughran lands a couple of shots to the sides of the head. Loughran lands with the left. Right hand by Loughran. Cartwright trying for a lockdown position. Loughran with some left hands. Cartwright tries to use his guard to throw up a triangle, but he can’t get it. Loughran trying to work in the guard. Loughran lands some lefts to the body in the closing seconds.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Jack Cartwright defeats Caolan Loughran by unanimous decision (29-28x3) in a Contract Weight (140) Showcase Bout.