Lead
On March 20 in Madrid, PFL staged its first major event in Spain, headlined by a rematch for the middleweight title. Costello van Steenis retained the belt, stopping Fabian Edwards by strikes late in round three (R3, 1:48) to claim the KO victory. The card featured several decisive finishes — including Linton Vassell’s second-round TKO and Luciano Pereira’s first-round knockout — alongside unanimous decisions for A.J. McKee and other winners. The show sold well locally and marked a major step for PFL’s European expansion.
Key Takeaways
- Costello van Steenis defeated Fabian Edwards via KO (elbows) at 1:48 of Round 3 to retain the PFL Middleweight Title.
- A.J. McKee beat Adam Borics by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) in the co-main, keeping his momentum in the featherweight title picture.
- Linton Vassell scored a second-round TKO over late replacement Jose Augusto (R2, 2:48), improving his PFL record to 1-2.
- Luciano Pereira stopped Kevin Cordero by KO at 2:10 of Round 1 in a catchweight bout after Cordero missed bantamweight by 0.6 lb (136.6 vs. 136 limit).
- Several fighters missed weight or entered catchweights: Kevin Cordero missed weight (136.6) and Mathys Duragrin came in at 146.5 for a scheduled featherweight bout.
- Nine fights on the card ended before the final bell, including notable first-round stoppages (Pereira, Austin).
Background
PFL chose Madrid for its first major Spanish card, beating other promotions to what it hopes will be a strategic European foothold. The promotion’s format — a seasonal structure with playoffs and million-dollar championship prizes — continues to differentiate it from single-show models and underpins the importance of marquee events outside North America.
Costello van Steenis (17-3) arrived as champion after winning the 185-pound tournament last year and finishing Johnny Eblen with a rear-naked choke in the previous July to claim the belt. Fabian Edwards (16-4) came in as an established contender with PFL experience (3-1 PFL) and plenty of international exposure, setting up a rematch that dated back to a Bellator meeting in Milan years earlier.
The card mixed Spanish regional favorites with international veterans, producing a local atmosphere that amplified finishes and crowd reactions. Officials and commission representatives managed a few weight issues and an in-fight injury that changed one bout’s outcome, underscoring the logistical challenges of staging a high-profile event in a new market.
Main Event (Van Steenis vs. Edwards 2)
The championship rematch began as a tactical leg-kick battle: van Steenis repeatedly targeted the inner calf while Edwards tried to find distance with front kicks and flurries. Van Steenis used grubby clinch work and high knees to control moments along the fence, and a cut opened near his left eye after a head clash in the first round.
Rounds two and three saw escalating grappling scrambles and striking bursts. Edwards frequently sought takedowns and briefly worked from guard when van Steenis returned to the fence, but the champion answered with heavy right hands and steady top pressure. Both men were warned for glove grabs during clinch exchanges, which briefly slowed the action.
The decisive sequence came in Round 3 when Edwards pressed forward for a shot and left his head exposed while in van Steenis’ clinch. Van Steenis locked a power guillotine transition, created separation and unleashed repeated elbows to the side of Edwards’ head. The barrage rendered Edwards defenseless; referee Blake Grice stepped in at 1:48 of Round 3, awarding van Steenis a KO by elbows.
Van Steenis celebrated loudly and, in his post-fight interaction with the crowd, expressed interest in immediate high-profile matchups as PFL prepares for its next stop in Pittsburgh. The stoppage keeps van Steenis atop the 185-pound division and hands Edwards his first stoppage loss in PFL competition.
Other Notable Bouts and Summaries
A.J. McKee controlled pace and range against Adam Borics with repeated low kicks and timely takedown work, winning a clear unanimous decision and strengthening his case for a title eliminator at featherweight. McKee absorbed a legal injury to his toe mid-fight but fought through it to finish with scores of 30-27 on two cards.
Linton Vassell, at 242.5 lb and 42 years old, dismantled late replacement Jose Augusto in Round 2 with a dominant takedown-to-ground-and-pound sequence, prompting a stoppage at 2:48. Vassell’s win was a reminder of his continued durability and finishing power in the heavyweight-to-light-heavyweight spectrum.
Luciano Pereira finished Kevin Cordero via first-round KO (2:10) after Cordero missed weight for bantamweight; the knockout came after a sudden right-left combination that dropped Cordero and prompted a stoppage as follow-up punches rendered him unconscious. Jacinta Austin produced the card’s first big female finish, stopping Benita van Rooij by TKO in Round 1 (2:40) with a volley of hammerfists.
Analysis & Implications
Van Steenis’ title defense by strikes reinforces his evolution from a grappling-finisher into a more rounded champion who can close contests with striking when opportunities present themselves. The elbow-heavy finish showcased his ability to convert clinch control into fight-ending offense, an asset in the PFL’s seasonal structure where title defenses can define annual narratives.
For Edwards, the loss raises questions about head positioning and takedown timing against elite specialists; repeatedly attempting entries while the champion had underhooks and posture control left Edwards vulnerable to transitions. He remains a top-tier competitor, but tactical adjustments will be needed if he wants another title shot in PFL’s format.
McKee’s unanimous decision over Borics keeps him in line for a top featherweight path; his low-kick volume and takedown timing were pivotal despite competing with a visible lower-limb complaint. Pereira and Austin’s early stoppages highlight a deeper wave of finishers emerging from smaller international camps who can change divisional trajectories quickly.
Strategically for PFL, Madrid was a successful market test: the promotion secured dramatic results that boost broadcast engagement and provided a strong lead-in to PFL’s U.S. stop in Pittsburgh. Continued European cards could accelerate regional talent development and sponsorship interest, but PFL will need to keep an eye on weight management and medical protocols after the card’s weight misses and in-fight injury.
Comparison & Data
| Fight | Result | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costello van Steenis vs. Fabian Edwards | van Steenis def. | KO (Elbows) | 3 | 1:48 |
| A.J. McKee vs. Adam Borics | McKee def. | Unanimous Decision | 3 | — |
| Linton Vassell vs. Jose Augusto | Vassell def. | TKO (Punches & Elbows) | 2 | 2:48 |
| Luciano Pereira vs. Kevin Cordero | Pereira def. | KO (Punches) | 1 | 2:10 |
| Jacinta Austin vs. Benita van Rooij | Austin def. | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 2:40 |
The table above captures the card’s decisive outcomes: three stoppages inside the first two rounds and a high-profile title KO in Round 3. Compared with many U.S. cards, Madrid skewed toward finishes rather than decisions — a positive for live audiences and for highlight circulation on social platforms. Weight issues (two fighters missing weight or fighting catchweights) slightly complicate post-event rankings and purse allocations.
Reactions & Quotes
Post-fight commentary blended crowd noise, scoring confirmation from ringside judges and succinct scoring notes from Sherdog’s team. Reactions ranged from chants in the arena to analytical breakdowns from on-site scorers.
“He’s out, he’s out.”
Crowd, Palacio Vistalegre
The chant captured the suddenness of van Steenis’ finishing sequence in Round 3, as bystanders recognized Edwards’ loss of responsiveness before the stoppage. That audible reaction underscored how immediate and conclusive the finish felt to the live audience.
“10-9 McKee”
Jay Pettry, Sherdog scorer
Sherdog’s round-by-round scorecards echoed the broadcast narrative on several close rounds, and official scorecards ultimately reflected unanimous decision outcomes where judges saw clear edges. Ringside scorers’ numeric tallies help contextualize the margins that separate decision winners from potential controversy.
Unconfirmed
- Yassin Najid’s reported shoulder injury was described as visibly displaced during the second round; an official medical diagnosis has not been released publicly.
- Mathys Duragrin’s complaint that a knee landed low (groin) in Round 1 of his bout with Nacho Campos was asserted post-fight; replay indicated strikes landed at the belt line but no commission ruling reversed the result.
- A.J. McKee complained about a dislocated toe during the fight; the exact medical extent and any official report were not immediately confirmed by PFL medical staff.
Bottom Line
PFL Madrid delivered a headline-grabbing defense for Costello van Steenis and several emphatic finishes that should elevate the promotion’s European profile. The event validated Madrid as a viable market for PFL and supplied clear contenders and storyline momentum heading into PFL Pitt and the ongoing season.
Key follow-ups to watch: medical clearances (Najid, Cordero), rematch potential for Edwards if he elects to rebuild, and whether van Steenis pursues multiple high-profile matchups at consecutive PFL stops. For PFL, continuing to ensure weight and medical protocols while capitalizing on the Madrid hype will be crucial for sustainable growth in Europe.