Edwards reaches PFL middleweight final
Britain's Fabian Edwards reached the final of the PFL's middleweight tournament with a unanimous decision win against American Josh Silveira.Edwards landed the more damaging strikes and never looked in trouble in a confident victory at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.The 32-year-old will face American Dalton Rosta next and the chance to win £395,000 ($500,000) in prize money.He joins fellow Briton Alfie Davis in the PFL Finals after his win against Brent Primus last week in the lightweight tournament.In the light-heavyweight semi-finals, Britain's Simeon Powell suffered a unanimous decision defeat by Brazil's Antonio Carlos Jr.
Edwards faces Rosta on 21 August at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Florida, while Davis fights Russian Gadzhi Rabadanov on 15 August at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina.Brendan Loughnane won the PFL featherweight title in 2022 and fellow Briton Dakota Ditcheva won women's flyweight gold last year.
Edwards is looking to bounce back and win the tournament having twice come up short in title fights against Johnny Eblen in 2023 and 2024.He returned to form, knocking out Impa Kasanganay in the second round in April, and brought that confidence into the contest with Silveira.The pair traded leg kicks in the early stages, with Silveira sweeping Edwards off his feet.Edwards responded, taking control of the stand-up, defending takedown attempts and hurting Silveira with a knee to the body.Roared on by his brother and former UFC welterweight champion Leon at cage-side, Edwards hurt Silveira with a straight left and secured two takedowns of his own.As the fight entered the closing stages with Edwards controlling Silveira on the ground, he gave a thumbs-up to the television cameras, signalling his confidence in victory.
Powell, 26, only made his MMA debut four years ago and had won 11 of his 12 professional bouts before facing the biggest test of his career in Carlos Jr.The 35-year-old is a former UFC fighter and won the PFL light-heavyweight tournament in 2021.Carlos Jr started on the front foot, connecting with straight rights and knees and Powell unable to generate much offence in response.Carlos Jr continued to control the action in the second round and, although Powell had a strong finish, landing a number of elbows to a grounded Carlos Jr, it was not enough to convince the judges of victory.
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