Van Steenis Retains Middleweight Title with Third-Round Knockout at PFL Madrid

Costello van Steenis successfully defended his Professional Fighters League middleweight championship with a spectacular third-round knockout victory over Fabian Edwards in the main event of PFL Madrid at the Palacio Vistalegre, capping off an action-packed evening of mixed martial arts competition in Spain.

The highly anticipated rematch nearly five years in the making lived up to expectations as van Steenis avenged his previous split-decision victory over Edwards from Bellator Milan 2 in September 2020. Both fighters had evolved considerably since their initial encounter, with Edwards building a 7-3 record that included capturing the 2025 PFL Middleweight tournament through a devastating knockout of Dalton Rosta last August.

Edwards entered the championship fight seeking redemption after falling short in two previous attempts to capture the Bellator 185-pound championship against Johnny Eblen. His path to this title shot demonstrated remarkable resilience and continued development as a complete mixed martial artist.

Van Steenis brought his own impressive momentum into the contest, having compiled a 4-1 record since defeating Edwards in their first meeting. Most notably, the defending champion had secured his current title through a spectacular come-from-behind submission victory over the previously mentioned Eblen last summer, demonstrating his ability to overcome adversity in championship situations.

The main card also featured former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee securing a unanimous decision victory over Adam Borics in the co-main event, adding another impressive performance to his professional resume as he continues building his legacy within the PFL organizational structure.

The evening action extended throughout the preliminary and main card segments, with heavyweight contenders Linton Vassell and Jose Augusto delivering their own compelling contest that saw Vassell emerge victorious via second-round technical knockout, positioning himself for potential future title opportunities.

Spanish fans were treated to exceptional mixed martial arts action across multiple weight divisions, with several finishes highlighting the technical skill and finishing ability of the featured athletes. Yassin Najid defeated Franco Tenaglia via second-round TKO, while Jacinta Austin needed just one round to stop Benita van Rooij with a technical knockout victory.

The preliminary card provided additional excitement with Kevin Cordero falling to Luciano Pereira via first-round knockout, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts competition where fights can end suddenly through perfectly timed striking exchanges.

Local favorite Borja Garcia earned a unanimous decision victory over Rafael Calderon, while Gino van Steenis continued his family fighting tradition with a first-round knockout of Mark Ewen. The van Steenis name proved successful throughout the evening, with both Gino and main event winner Costello representing their fighting lineage with distinction.

Additional results saw Mattia Giordano outpointing Ernesto Schisano via unanimous decision, Claudio Pacella earning a unanimous decision over David Mora, and Ignacio Campos defeating Mathys Duragrin by unanimous decision in competitive preliminary action.

The successful staging of PFL Madrid represents the organization continued international expansion and commitment to bringing elite mixed martial arts competition to diverse global markets. Spanish fans responded enthusiastically to the high-level action, creating an electric atmosphere that enhanced the viewing experience for both live attendees and streaming audiences.

Van Steenis championship retention solidifies his position atop the PFL middleweight division while Edwards must regroup and potentially work his way back toward another title opportunity. The decisive nature of the knockout victory leaves little doubt about the current divisional hierarchy.

The PFL continues building momentum through strategic international events that showcase their roster depth while expanding their global footprint in key European markets where mixed martial arts continues experiencing significant growth in popularity and competitive participation.