On a thrilling night at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Britain's Fabian Edwards punched his ticket to the 2025 Professional Fighters League (PFL) middleweight finals with a unanimous decision victory over American Josh Silveira. The 32-year-old Edwards, younger brother of former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, showcased a masterclass in striking, takedown defense, and composure to secure the win with all three judges scoring the fight 29-28 in his favor.
Edwards entered the semifinals as a heavy favorite, having bounced back from two previous Bellator middleweight title fight losses to Johnny Eblen in 2023 and 2024. His recent form was impressive, highlighted by a second-round knockout of 2023 PFL light heavyweight champion Impa Kasanganay in April. Against Silveira, Edwards demonstrated why he remains a top contender in the 185-pound division.
The fight began with both fighters trading leg kicks, with Silveira managing to sweep Edwards off his feet early on. However, Edwards quickly regained control, leveraging his reach advantage and superior striking to land damaging blows. A particularly effective knee to the body and a sharp straight left helped Edwards establish dominance. He also successfully defended multiple takedown attempts by Silveira and secured two takedowns of his own, further asserting control throughout the three-round contest.
Edwards' confidence was palpable, as he even gave a thumbs-up to the television cameras late in the fight, signaling his assuredness of victory. The presence of his brother Leon at cage-side added to the electric atmosphere and undoubtedly provided motivation.
With this win, Edwards advances to face American Dalton Rosta in the middleweight final on August 21, 2025, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Florida. Rosta secured his spot in the finals with a hard-fought split decision victory over Aaron Jeffery on the same night. Their rematch carried significant intrigue, as Jeffery handed Rosta his only career defeat two years ago, setting the stage for a compelling showdown. Rosta has predicted a second-round knockout in the final, while Jeffery expects a similarly competitive bout to their first encounter.
Edwards' path to the final is part of a strong British presence in the PFL Finals this year. Fellow Briton Alfie Davis also advanced to the lightweight tournament final after defeating Brent Primus last week. Davis is set to face Russian Gadzhi Rabadanov on August 15, 2025, at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Meanwhile, in the light heavyweight division, Britain's Simeon Powell suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Brazil's Antonio Carlos Jr., a former UFC fighter and 2021 PFL light heavyweight tournament winner. Powell, who made his MMA debut just four years ago and had won 11 of his 12 professional bouts prior to this fight, showed resilience but was ultimately outmatched by the experienced Carlos Jr. The scores were unanimous at 29-28 across the board.
In a significant upset in the light heavyweight semifinals, Sullivan Cauley defeated former Bellator champion Phil Davis via unanimous decision, with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. Cauley, an 8-1 fighter and teammate of MMA veteran Ryan Bader, impressed with his heavy hands and tactical prowess. He will face Antonio Carlos Jr. in the light heavyweight final.
The heavyweight semifinals also delivered drama. Alexandr Romanov advanced to the finals after his bout against Valentin Moldavsky ended in a no-contest due to an accidental groin strike late in the first round. Judges sided with Romanov for advancement purposes, setting up a final showdown. Oleg Popov secured his finals spot with a unanimous decision win over Rodrigo Nascimento, further shaping the heavyweight bracket.
The event, broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN+, featured a stacked nine-fight card showcasing the best talent across middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight divisions. Other notable results included Sergio Pettis defeating Raufeon Stots via unanimous decision in the bantamweight division and Ronnie Gibbs pulling off a technical submission against Biaggio Ali Walsh in the lightweight prelims.
Fabian Edwards' journey in the PFL continues to captivate fans, as he seeks to claim the middleweight title and the £395,000 ($500,000) prize money. His recent performances demonstrate a renewed focus and determination after previous setbacks. The upcoming final against Dalton Rosta promises to be a high-stakes battle between two elite middleweights hungry for championship glory.
With the PFL finals scheduled across various venues in August, the MMA world eagerly awaits the culmination of this exciting tournament season. Edwards, Davis, Rosta, and others are poised to deliver memorable fights that could define their careers and shake up the divisions.
