Get ready for a showdown that could redefine the middleweight division! Fabian Edwards vs. Costello van Steenis is set to light up Madrid on March 20, but here’s where it gets intense: this isn’t just another title fight—it’s a clash of two fighters on scorching win streaks, each with something to prove. Let’s break it down.
Britain’s Fabian Edwards, 32, is no stranger to high-stakes battles. After a jaw-dropping knockout of Dalton Rosta last August, he claimed the PFL middleweight tournament title and a cool $500,000 prize. But here’s the twist: this will be his third shot at a world title, following heart-wrenching losses to Johnny Eblen in Bellator’s middleweight championship bouts in 2023 and 2024. Will Madrid be his redemption story? Many fans are split—some say he’s due for a win, while others argue he’s hit his ceiling. What do you think?
On the other side of the octagon stands Costello van Steenis, a Dutch fighter representing Spain. His journey to the title is nothing short of cinematic. With just seven seconds left in his fight against Eblen last July, he secured a submission victory, becoming champion in one of the most dramatic comebacks the sport has ever seen. Now, he’s defending the PFL world championship for the first time since the organization rebranded it post-Bellator acquisition in 2023. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can he hold onto the belt against a hungry Edwards, or will the pressure of defending on Spanish soil prove too much?
Both fighters enter the bout on three-fight win streaks, with Van Steenis boasting a 17-3 record and Edwards at 16-4. The stats are close, the stakes are higher, and the narratives are colliding. PFL chief John Martin summed it up perfectly: ‘Costello van Steenis had a storybook ending in Cape Town, and his tale continues as he comes to Madrid with the flag of Spain on one shoulder, and the world title on the other. Edwards is also riding a huge wave of momentum, and with these two at the top of the card, we’re going to put on an event for the ages.’
And this is the part most people miss: This event at Madrid’s Palacio Vistalegre marks the first time a global MMA promotion has hosted an event in Spain. It’s not just a fight—it’s history in the making. Will Edwards finally claim the world title he’s chased for years, or will Van Steenis solidify his legacy as the new king of the division? Let us know your predictions in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to sit out!
