Mixed Martial Arts: Edwards To Face Champion Van Steenis In March

Britain’s Fabian Edwards will face Costello van Steenis for the PFL middleweight title in Madrid on 20 March.

Edwards, 32, knocked out Dalton Rosta to win the PFL’s middleweight tournament in August and a $500,000 (£369,000) prize.

The bout will mark the Birmingham fighter’s third attempt at a world title, following defeats for Bellator middleweight gold by Johnny Eblen in 2023 and 2024.

Dutchman Van Steenis, who represents Spain, submitted Eblen in July to become champion with only seven seconds of the fight left.

The bout will be the 33-year-old’s first defence of the title since it was rebranded as the PFL world championship after the organisation acquired Bellator in 2023.

Both fighters head into the contest on three-fight win streaks, with Van Steenis winning 17 of his 20 professional fights and Edwards triumphing in 16 of 20.

The event at Madrid’s Palacio Vistalegre marks the first time a global MMA promotion has hosted an event in Spain.

“Costello van Steenis had a storybook ending in Cape Town with one of the biggest comebacks in the sport’s history, and his tale continues as he comes to Madrid with the flag of Spain on one shoulder, and the world title on the other,” said PFL chief John Martin.

“Edwards is also riding a huge wave of momentum, and also had a massive win in his last fight to win the PFL tournament title. With these two at the top of the card, we’re going to stack the rest of the evening and put on an event for the ages.”