FABIAN EDWARDS PROMISES A VIOLENT PERFORMANCE IN COSTELLO VAN STEENIS PFL REMATCH

Fabian ‘The Assassin’ Edwards says he will deliver a “world-class violent performance” when he faces Costello van Steenis for the PFL Middleweight Title in their long-awaited rematch this month.

The fight gives Edwards (16-4) an opportunity to avenge a split decision loss to van Steenis (17-3) when the pair first clashed in 2020 during their Bellator days.

The stakes of the rematch could not be higher with a title on the line in the Madrid event. But despite the personal rivalry and the added pressure of a world championship, Edwards insists he is approaching the fight with focus.

In his discussion with us, the Birmingham fighter said: “It’s just business as usual. I’m trying to get to somewhere in my career and make a life for myself and my family, and he’s standing in the way – I’ve just got to go in there and take him out.”

Edwards is coming off three dominant victories in last year’s PFL middleweight tournament and is confident this flow will be critical in the result of this fight.

He said: “I feel like I’ve just built on the momentum from last year.

“I’ve been in camp for eight months, so I feel like all the work that I’ve done last year has carried into this one.”

Edwards believes he has improved more than van Steenis in the six years since their first meeting, and is eager to show him how much he has evolved inside the cage.

Looking ahead, ‘The Assassin’ is also eyeing revenge for a 2024 decision loss to Johnny Eblen (16-1). Eblen could emerge as the next contender to middleweight gold by defeating Bryan Battle (12-2) in their upcoming bout, which could put him on a collision course with Edwards.

While Edwards also contemplated a move to a higher weight class to pursue a second title, he still sees his future in middleweight.

For now, his attention remains fixed on his rematch with van Steenis, and the game plan is simple: “At the end of the day, I’m going in there to hurt someone.”

Edwards promises spectacle and violence when he steps back into the cage on March 20.

“I got a chance to go out there and show the world exactly what I’m gonna do – I’ll let my fists do the talking.”