Van Steenis Stops Edwards with Brutal Elbows to Retain Title at PFL Madrid
Van Steenis Dominates Edwards in Violent Finish
MADRID — Costello van Steenis delivered a decisive and brutal statement on Friday night, stopping Fabian Edwards in the third round to retain his middleweight title in the main event of PFL Madrid.
Fighting in front of a charged crowd at Palacio Vistalegre, van Steenis closed the show with a barrage of elbows that forced a stoppage at 1:48 of Round 3, ending a competitive rematch that had been years in the making.
The victory marked van Steenis’ second win over Edwards, reinforcing his position atop the division and extending his momentum as one of the promotion’s most dominant champions.
A Tactical Fight Turns Violent
For much of the contest, the championship bout unfolded as a technical and evenly matched affair. Edwards attempted to impose his wrestling early, while van Steenis relied on calculated striking and clinch control.
The turning point came in the third round.
As Edwards pushed forward with another takedown attempt, van Steenis reversed position and unleashed a series of sharp, unanswered elbows from close range. The strikes quickly overwhelmed Edwards, prompting the referee to step in and halt the contest.
The finish was emphatic — and conclusive.
Co-Main Event: McKee Battles Through Injury
In the co-main event, AJ McKee showcased resilience, defeating Adam Borics by unanimous decision in a closely contested featherweight bout.
Despite reportedly dealing with a toe injury during the fight, McKee maintained control across three rounds, mixing striking and grappling effectively to secure scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
The win further solidifies McKee’s standing as a top contender in the division.
Finishes Dominate Main Card
The Madrid card delivered a series of emphatic finishes, underlining the event’s intensity and crowd appeal.
Franco Tenaglia earned a stoppage victory over Yassin Najid in the second round, while Jacinta Austin needed less than three minutes to secure a first-round knockout against Benita van Rooij.
Linton Vassell also impressed, stopping Jose Augusto via second-round TKO in a heavyweight clash that added further excitement to the main card.
In total, the majority of featured bouts ended inside the distance, highlighting an action-packed night for the promotion’s debut event in Spain.
Rising Talent Shines on Preliminary Card
Earlier in the evening, several fighters made strong impressions on the preliminary card.
Luciano Pereira opened with a first-round knockout victory, while Gino van Steenis — the champion’s brother — delivered a highlight-reel finish of his own, stopping Mark Ewen with a single punch in the opening round.
Elsewhere, Borja Garcia, Mattia Giordano, Claudio Pacella, and Ignacio Campos all secured decision wins, rounding out a well-balanced undercard filled with both finishes and technical performances.
Historic Night for PFL in Spain
Beyond the results, the event marked a significant milestone for the Professional Fighters League, representing its first major show in Madrid.
The promotion drew a lively crowd and delivered a card filled with finishes, signaling strong momentum as it continues to expand internationally.
For van Steenis, however, the message was simpler: he remains the man to beat.
Full PFL Madrid Results
Main Card:
- Costello van Steenis def. Fabian Edwards — KO (Round 3, 1:48)
- AJ McKee def. Adam Borics — Unanimous Decision
- Franco Tenaglia def. Yassin Najid — TKO (Round 2)
- Jacinta Austin def. Benita van Rooij — KO (Round 1)
- Linton Vassell def. Jose Augusto — TKO (Round 2)
Preliminary Card:
- Luciano Pereira def. Kevin Cordero — KO (Round 1)
- Borja Garcia def. Rafael Calderon — Decision
- Gino van Steenis def. Mark Ewen — KO (Round 1)
- Mattia Giordano def. Ernesto Schisano — Decision
- Claudio Pacella def. David Mora — Decision
- Ignacio Campos def. Mathys Duragrin — Decision
What Comes Next
With another decisive victory, van Steenis has firmly established himself as the face of the PFL middleweight division.
As the promotion continues its global expansion, all eyes will now turn to who might be next in line — and whether anyone can solve the puzzle that Edwards could not.
For now, the champion remains untouchable.
