Fabian Edwards secured a dominant victory over former PFL champion Impa Kasanganay in the main event of PFL 3 in Orlando on Friday, showcasing a powerful striking display.
From the start, Edwards dictated the pace, utilizing sharp inside elbows that consistently caught Kasanganay off guard. One such elbow opened a significant cut on Kasanganay`s face, causing blood to flow.
The ringside doctor examined the deep gash on Kasanganay`s face between rounds, but allowed the fight to continue.
Despite brief moments of offense from Kasanganay, including a punch that connected after a head clash, Edwards, a former Bellator title challenger, maintained control. He capitalized on an opening with a well-timed jab that staggered Kasanganay, then unleashed a flurry of punches.
Edwards` relentless attack overwhelmed Kasanganay, sending him to the mat and prompting the referee to stop the fight at 2:14 of the second round. Celebrating with his brother Leon Edwards, Fabian then turned his attention to his next opponent, Josh Silveira.
“I feel good, but the job isn`t finished yet,” Edwards stated after his win. “One down, two more to go. I can`t get too complacent. PFL should have allowed elbows a long time ago.”
In the co-main event, Gadzhi Rabadanov, the 2024 PFL champion, continued his impressive run in the lightweight division with a swift victory over ex-UFC fighter Marc Diakiese in just 32 seconds.
The fight was short-lived as Rabadanov caught a kick from Diakiese, took him down, and unleashed a barrage of punches. Diakiese was quickly overwhelmed and succumbed to the strikes.
Rabadanov`s knockout win advances him in the PFL tournament, where he will next face Jay-Jay Wilson in the second round.
Dalton Rosta delivered a statement performance against PFL veteran Sadibou Sy, ultimately securing a finish in their middleweight tournament bout. Despite Sy`s striking reputation, Rosta connected with a powerful punch in the second round, leading to a ground fight.
Rosta relentlessly attacked with strikes and submission attempts, eventually locking in a D’arce choke. Sy was unable to escape and lost consciousness, ending the fight.
Jay-Jay Wilson secured his spot in the lightweight tournament semifinals with a dominant performance against Mads Burnell. While seemingly headed for a decision victory, Wilson gained top control and unleashed a series of strikes.
Burnell weakened under the onslaught, and Wilson continued his attack until the referee intervened in the final round.
In the main card opener, Alfie Davis surprised Clay Collard, a PFL veteran, with a perfectly executed spinning back elbow. Collard was visibly shaken but initially continued, although briefly dropped.
Davis pressed his advantage, landing further punches until the referee stopped the fight at 2:12 of the first round.
PFL 3 Main Card Results:
- Fabian Edwards def. Impa Kasanganay via TKO (strikes) — Round 2
- Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Marc Diakiese via knockout (ground and pound) — Round 1
- Dalton Rosta def. Sadibou Sy via submission (D’arce choke) — Round 2
- Jay Jay Wilson def. Mads Burnell via TKO (strikes on the ground) — Round 3
- Alfie Davis def. Clay Collard via TKO (spinning back elbow and punches) — Round 1
PFL 3 Prelims Results:
- Josh Silveira def. Mike Shipman via unanimous decision
- Brent Primus def. Vinicius Cenci via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3
- Aaron Jeffery def. Murad Ramazanov via split decision
