Fabian Edwards Reaches PFL Middleweight Final with Statement Win Over Josh Silveira
Confident Edwards eyes $500,000 prize and PFL middleweight glory after dominant showing in Chicago
British MMA fans had every reason to cheer this weekend as Fabian Edwards booked his place in the PFL middleweight final with a composed and clinical unanimous decision win over Josh Silveira at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
For Edwards, it was more than just a win—it was a powerful reminder that he remains a serious threat at 185 pounds. The 32-year-old showed sharp striking, efficient takedown defence and steely composure throughout the bout, never once looking in serious danger as he controlled proceedings against his American opponent.
He now moves one step closer to the PFL middleweight tournament title and a mouth-watering $500,000 prize. Standing between him and the jackpot is another American, Dalton Rosta, whom he will face on 21 August at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Florida.
Back in Business: Edwards Finds Form at the Right Time
Edwards‘ journey to this point hasn’t been smooth sailing. After two failed attempts at Bellator gold in back-to-back years against Johnny Eblen—losses that weighed heavily on him—many questioned whether he had hit his ceiling.
But instead of folding under the pressure, Edwards regrouped and came back stronger. His second-round knockout of Impa Kasanganay in April was a clear turning point, a performance that re-ignited his self-belief and signaled that he still had championship calibre. That momentum carried into the cage in Chicago against Silveira, and it showed from the opening bell.
Silveira, to his credit, came out looking to impose his game, targeting the legs and managing an early sweep that momentarily put Edwards on the mat. But the Brit responded well, quickly regaining control of the stand-up exchanges and stuffing several takedown attempts with calm precision.
Edwards found success with a stinging knee to the body and later hurt Silveira with a clean straight left, a weapon he returned to repeatedly. He even notched two takedowns of his own—a subtle but telling shift that proved he was dictating every phase of the fight.
Thumbs Up and Tunnel Vision
As the fight wore on and Edwards maintained dominant position on the ground, he had time for a cheeky thumbs-up to the broadcast cameras. It was a moment that spoke volumes: not arrogance, but confidence—a fighter fully in tune with his performance.
Watching cage-side was his older brother, Leon Edwards, the former UFC welterweight champion and a trailblazer for British MMA. Having a figure like Leon in your corner brings both pressure and pride, but Fabian seemed fuelled by the presence of family.
“It felt right in there,” Edwards said post-fight. “I knew what I had to do and I did it. The goal now is to finish this story the right way.”
Britain’s Growing PFL Footprint: Alfie Davis Also in the Finals
It’s been a good summer for British fighters on the PFL circuit. Alfie Davis, a fellow countryman, secured his own spot in the PFL lightweight final just a week prior with a statement win over Brent Primus. Davis will now face Russian standout Gadzhi Rabadanov on 15 August in Charlotte, North Carolina.
With Brendan Loughnane lifting the PFL featherweight belt in 2022 and Dakota Ditcheva winning the women’s flyweight crown in 2023, there’s an unmistakable surge of British talent rising in the Professional Fighters League ranks.
For Edwards and Davis, there’s now a very real chance that two more titles could be headed back to the UK this summer.
Powell Falls Short in Light-Heavyweight Semi-Final
While Edwards‘ victory brought celebration, there was disappointment elsewhere on the card for British hopeful Simeon Powell. The 26-year-old suffered a unanimous decision loss to seasoned Brazilian veteran Antonio Carlos Jr in the light-heavyweight semi-finals.
Powell, who had won 11 of his 12 professional bouts coming into the contest, found himself overwhelmed early by the experience and aggression of Carlos Jr—a former UFC fighter and 2021 PFL champion.
Carlos Jr set the tone in the first round, landing a sharp combination of straight rights and well-timed knees, stifling Powell’s rhythm. Though the Brit tried to mount a comeback in the third, landing some effective elbows from the bottom, it wasn’t enough to sway the judges.
Still young in his MMA career, Powell will undoubtedly learn from the defeat. Facing a battle-tested opponent like Carlos Jr is a harsh but valuable lesson at this level.
Final Showdown: Edwards vs Rosta Looms Large
The stage is now set for what promises to be a thrilling final at middleweight. Dalton Rosta, unbeaten in his last outings, poses a different challenge altogether for Edwards. A powerful wrestler with crisp striking, Rosta will look to impose a physical fight. But Edwards has seen it all before—and he appears to be peaking at just the right time.
Victory in Florida would not only be career-defining financially but could also serve as Edwards‘ redemption story, bringing full circle a career that has had its share of highs and lows.
He’s no longer in the shadow of his brother. He’s carving his own legacy—and this summer could be when it all comes together.
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