BREAKING: In a thrilling showdown, Fabian Edwards secured the PFL World Tournament title with a spectacular knockout of Dalton Rosta in the third round, utilizing a head kick that mirrored his brother Leon Edwards‘s iconic championship-winning strike. The decisive moment occurred at the 1:28 mark during the finals held in Hollywood, Florida, captivating fans and solidifying Edwards’ position in the MMA spotlight.
This victory not only earned Edwards a hefty $500,000 prize but also marked a significant redemption arc after previously falling short in two championship bouts under the Bellator banner against Johnny Eblen. Edwards, now 16-4, showcased his resilience by overcoming Rosta’s early takedown attempts and delivering his sixth knockout of his career.
The head kick knockout drew parallels to the legendary moment when Leon Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 on August 20, 2022, in one of the most remarkable comebacks in UFC history. The striking similarity in technique has sparked excitement among fans, further linking the Edwards brothers in the annals of MMA history.
Thursday’s PFL event featured not only Edwards’ victory but also two other championship bouts. In the heavyweight finals, Oleg Popov claimed his first PFL tournament championship by defeating Alexander Romanov via split decision. Popov, a protégé of MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko, previously reached the finals of last year’s regular season championship before losing to Denis Goltsov.
Meanwhile, light heavyweight Antonio Carlos Jr. added to his accolades with a second PFL tournament championship, finishing Sullivan Cauley via submission in the second round. Despite entering as a slight underdog, Carlos Jr. overcame a competitive first round that saw both fighters score knockdowns, eventually capitalizing on Cauley’s injury to secure the victory.
As the PFL season progresses, all eyes will be on Edwards as he looks to build on this momentum and potentially vie for further titles. The emotional weight of his performance on Thursday not only resonates with his personal journey but also fuels the Edwards family legacy in the sport.
Stay tuned for updates as the PFL World Tournament continues to unfold, and watch for further developments regarding future matchups for these rising stars.
