2025 PFL 10: Fabian Edwards post-fight interview
Fabian Edwards speaks to MMA Junkie and other media following his head-kick KO over Dalton Rosta to win the 2025 PFL middleweight tournament.
When the Edwards boys open up their Facebook memories around this time for the rest of their days, they’re going to have an abundance of head kicks.
Like something out of a movie that would seem too good to be true, Fabian Edwards on Thursday won the PFL’s middleweight tournament title with a head kick knockout of Dalton Rosta.
The kick came almost exactly three years to the day from when Fabian’s brother Leon landed a head kick knockout on Kamaru Usman in the waning moments of UFC 278 to win the welterweight title. That kick remains one of the most stunning comeback finishes in MMA history.
For Fabian Edwards to land one to win a title in the same way Leon did should have had high odds as it was. For it to happen just a day apart from the anniversary – and after Fabian predicted earlier in the week that he would manifest a head-kick win – would have had astronomical odds.
“It’s crazy – three years, same head kick. It’s mad. It’s mad. I can’t believe it, but I can,” Edwards told MMA Junkie and other reporters after his title win Thursday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.
Edwards (16-4) reached the tournament final against Rosta (11-2) with an opening-round knockout of former $1 million PFL season winner Impa Kasanganay and a semifinal decision over Josh Silveira.
The middleweight tournament belt is one Edwards said he’s going to consider a title – even though Costello van Steenis currently holds the promotion’s 185-pound belt.
If there’s a unification situation down the road, Edwards is all about it. He’d also love to have another shot some day at former Bellator champ Johnny Eblen.
Either way, Edwards will be looking for redemption. He has two title losses to Eblen, including one this past October. And a little less than five years ago, his first loss as a pro came against van Steenis – a split decision in Italy.
“I’m a world champion and (van Steenis is) a world champion. Whenever we fight, it’s about bringing it together,” Edwards said. “I don’t look at myself as a tournament winner. This is a world championship. I beat three of the best guys in the tournament, and that’s it.
“I think Johnny will come back and maybe run a third fight in the future. But back in October, I just lost my second fight to Johnny – world championship. I just kept my belief, regardless. I know a lot of people didn’t believe, but my team still believed I’m one of the best in the world, and tonight we came out and proved that.”
Check out Edwards’ full post-fight news conference above.
