For the third consecutive week, Universal Studios in Florida hosted the PFL’s opening-round matchups in their 2025 World Tournament, with the lightweights and middleweights taking center stage this time around.
The season has started strong for the organization, with plenty of exciting finishes on the first two cards, and Friday’s event kept that momentum going.
In the main event, former Bellator title challenger Fabian Edwards knocked out 2023 PFL tournament winner Impa Kasanganay in the second round to advance to the middleweight semifinals. A flying knee from Edwards sent Kasanganay crashing to the canvas, and the heavy ground-and-pound that followed forced the stoppage.
Edwards is now set to face Josh Silveira in the semifinals, after Silveira defeated Mike Shipman by unanimous decision on the preliminary card.
Also in the middleweight division, Dalton Rosta once again showcased his exceptional grappling, submitting Sadibou Sy to move on to the semifinals. Rosta will meet Aaron Jeffery, who eked out a split-decision win over Murad Ramazanov in the evening’s opening bout.
In the lightweight division, Gadzhi Rabadanov extended his winning streak to 12 with a first-round knockout of UFC veteran Marc Diakiese in their co-main event. Rabadanov capitalized on a slip by “Bonecrusher,” followed him to the ground, and unleashed a flurry of strikes to end the fight.
Jay Jay Wilson secured a late finish over Mads Burnell to set up a semifinal rematch with Rabadanov. Rabadanov handed “The Maori Kid” the only loss of his career back in 2022.
Alfie Davis landed a sensational spinning elbow on Clay Collard before finishing him with heavy ground-and-pound to secure his spot in the lightweight semifinals. The UK standout will face Brent Primus, who submitted Vinicius Censi just before the final bell in their bout.
MAIN CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)
- Fabian Edwards defeated Impa Kasanganay via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:14
- Gadzhi Rabadanov defeated Marc Diakiese via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:32
- Dalton Rosta defeated Sadibou Sy via submission (D'Arce choke) – Round 2, 3:29
- Jay Jay Wilson defeated Mads Burnell via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:42
- Alfie Davis defeated Clay Collard via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:12
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET)
- Josh Silveira defeated Mike Shipman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Brent Primus defeated Vinicius Cenci via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:52
- Aaron Jeffery defeated Murad Ramazanov via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
