PFL Madrid marked a historic milestone for European mixed martial arts as Costello van Steenis successfully defended his middleweight title against Fabian Edwards in Spain’s first major MMA event. The Dutch champion delivered a decisive third-round knockout to retain his belt and establish himself as the promotion’s dominant force at 185 pounds.
Main Event Breakdown: Van Steenis vs Edwards II
Costello van Steenis improved his professional record to 18-3 with a devastating finish over Fabian Edwards (16-5) at the Palacio Vistalegre. The championship bout featured competitive exchanges through the first two rounds before van Steenis capitalized on a critical tactical error.
Edwards attempted a takedown against the cage in the third round, placing himself in a vulnerable position. Van Steenis immediately responded with a barrage of elbows that rendered Edwards unconscious at 1:48 of round three. The finish gave van Steenis his second career victory over Edwards and validated his status as PFL middleweight champion.
Tactical Analysis of the Finish
The sequence highlighted several technical elements worth noting for fighters and coaches:
- Edwards committed to a single-leg takedown without establishing proper cage control
- Van Steenis recognized the defensive vulnerability immediately
- The elbow strikes targeted the exposed temple and cranial region with fight-ending precision
- Van Steenis maintained balance and leverage throughout the finishing sequence
Co-Main Event: McKee Returns to Form
AJ McKee (24-2) delivered a comprehensive performance against Adam Borics (20-4) in the featherweight co-main event. McKee earned a unanimous decision victory with scorecards reading 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
The former Bellator champion demonstrated improved defensive wrestling and consistent offensive output across all three rounds. McKee utilized lateral movement to avoid Borics’ power punches while landing accurate counter strikes and controlling cage positioning. The performance positions McKee for potential title contention at 145 pounds within the PFL framework.
Main Card Results and Performances
Tenaglia Wins Via Medical Stoppage
Franco Tenaglia (6-2) secured a TKO victory over Yassin Najid (9-6) when the fight was stopped due to a shoulder dislocation at the end of round two. The former BKFC champion showcased aggressive takedown attempts throughout the bout. The injury occurred as Tenaglia drove through a takedown and Najid braced against the mat, resulting in a dislocated shoulder that required immediate medical intervention.
Austin Delivers First Round Knockout
Jacinta Austin (9-2) earned the most impressive finish of the preliminary portion with a first-round knockout of Benita van Rooij (7-2) at 2:40. Austin connected with a clean right hand that dropped van Rooij before following with ground strikes to secure the stoppage. The performance establishes Austin as a legitimate contender in the women’s strawweight division.
Vassell Proves Durability at 42
Linton Vassell (26-10, 1 NC) opened the main card with a second-round TKO victory over Jose Augusto (11-6). The 42-year-old heavyweight secured a takedown before unleashing sustained ground and pound that forced referee intervention at 2:48 of round two. Vassell’s performance demonstrates that technical proficiency and cage awareness can offset age-related physical decline.
Complete PFL Madrid Fight Card Results
Main Card
| Weight Class | Winner | Loser | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middleweight Title | Costello van Steenis | Fabian Edwards | KO (Elbows) | R3, 1:48 |
| Featherweight | AJ McKee | Adam Borics | Unanimous Decision | 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 |
| Welterweight | Franco Tenaglia | Yassin Najid | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | R2, 5:00 |
| Women’s Strawweight | Jacinta Austin | Benita Van Rooij | KO | R1, 2:40 |
| Heavyweight | Linton Vassell | Jose Augusto | TKO (Punches) | R2, 2:48 |
Preliminary Card
| Weight Class | Winner | Loser | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bantamweight | Luciano Pereira | Kevin Cordero | KO (Punch) | R1, 2:10 |
| Flyweight | Borja Garcia | Rafael Calderon | Unanimous Decision | 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 |
| Lightweight | Gino van Steenis | Mark Ewen | KO (Punch) | R1, 2:43 |
| Bantamweight | Mattia Giordano | Ernesto Schisano | Unanimous Decision | 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 |
| 165-Pound Catchweight | Claudio Pacella | David Mora | Unanimous Decision | 30-27, 30-26, 30-27 |
| Featherweight | Ignacio Campos | Mathys Duragrin | Unanimous Decision | 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 |
Expert Fighter Final Verdict
PFL Madrid established credibility for the promotion’s European expansion efforts while delivering legitimate finishes across multiple weight classes. Van Steenis demonstrated championship-level cage awareness by recognizing and exploiting Edwards’ tactical error in the title fight. The finish reinforces the importance of maintaining defensive positioning during takedown attempts, particularly against the cage where escape routes are limited.
McKee’s decision victory over Borics provides the clearest path to featherweight title contention among active PFL competitors. His ability to neutralize Borics’ explosive offense through movement and timing suggests readiness for championship-level competition. Austin’s first-round knockout and Vassell’s age-defying performance add depth to their respective divisions and create viable matchmaking options for future PFL cards.
The event’s success in Spain demonstrates market viability for major MMA promotions outside traditional strongholds. Fighters should note the strategic value of controlling cage positioning and recognizing defensive vulnerabilities during scrambles, as van Steenis exemplified in his title retention.