The Six-Year Circle Comes Full Turn
Fabian Edwards entered the professional MMA landscape with an impressive 9-0 record, a perfect start to what appeared to be a championship trajectory. However, that undefeated streak came to an abrupt end in 2020 when he faced Costello van Steenis in a bout that remained tightly contested throughout. The split decision loss to van Steenis proved difficult to accept, especially given Edwards' conviction that he deserved the victory that night. For six years, Edwards has carried the weight of that defeat, but circumstances have now aligned to provide the rematch he has long awaited—this time with the PFL middleweight title hanging in the balance. The matchup takes place in Madrid, Spain, creating a cinematic narrative where two fighters reunite at a pivotal career moment for both competitors.
Edwards' perspective on the impending rematch remains focused and resolute. He encapsulates his mindset with a simple yet powerful statement: "He took my 'O' so I'm taking his belt." This mentality reflects not only his desire to avenge the loss but also to prove that the intervening years have transformed him into a significantly more complete fighter. The opportunity to reclaim what was taken and simultaneously capture championship gold represents the convergence of personal redemption and professional achievement.
Edwards' Evolution Since Their First Meeting
The fighter who steps into the ring for this rematch bears little resemblance to the younger version who faced van Steenis six years prior. Edwards acknowledges his substantial improvement, particularly over the past year when his approach to fighting underwent a fundamental transformation. Rather than fixating on wins and losses, Edwards shifted his focus to executing at his absolute best level, allowing his natural abilities to flourish without the mental burden of outcomes consuming his preparation.
This philosophical adjustment has produced tangible results throughout 2025, where Edwards maintained a perfect 3-0 record highlighted by two devastating knockouts. His confidence derives not from arrogance but from legitimate technical and physical improvements across all facets of his game. When analyzing the original fight with van Steenis, Edwards approaches it clinically rather than emotionally. He maintains that had the bout extended to another round, van Steenis would not have survived. Moreover, Edwards believes his current skill set and conditioning so vastly exceed his 2020 version that he could defeat his former self with ease.
The mental shift represents Edwards' most significant evolution. He has internalized a crucial fighting principle: accepting that setbacks occur, but maintaining absolute confidence in his ability to impose his will through superior striking and conditioning when opponents engage on the feet.
Analyzing Van Steenis' Title Credentials
Van Steenis earned his PFL middleweight championship through one of the most improbable finishes recent combat sports has witnessed. Facing Johnny Eblen in a title bout, van Steenis found himself trailing significantly on the scorecards with less than sixty seconds remaining. In a stunning reversal of fortune, he secured a rear-naked choke submission that rendered Eblen unconscious, snatching victory from apparent defeat. While this moment captured widespread acclaim for its dramatic nature, Edwards views the performance with measured skepticism.
Edwards' analysis focuses on the dominant nature of Eblen's performance prior to the submission. From Edwards' perspective, Eblen controlled most of the fight, and the dramatic finish, though spectacular, does not necessarily indicate van Steenis' overall superiority or technical dominance. Edwards suggests that van Steenis himself may have believed he was winning throughout the bout, only to find the opportunity for a submission late. This observation suggests potential vulnerabilities in van Steenis' understanding of fight dynamics and positional control that Edwards could exploit. Rather than viewing the title victory as evidence of overwhelming skill, Edwards sees it as a fortunate convergence of circumstances that opens tactical opportunities for his own approach.
The Strategic Approach: Striking Versus Wrestling
Edwards has developed a clear strategic framework based on extensive observation of van Steenis' fighting tendencies. A notable pattern emerges when strikers face Edwards: they inevitably resort to takedown attempts and clinching engagements despite professing themselves primarily as standing fighters. This phenomenon has proven consistent across multiple opponents, suggesting that when faced with Edwards' striking prowess, even self-identified strikers attempt to neutralize his standing advantage through wrestling.
Edwards expects van Steenis to follow this identical script. Rather than viewing this as unpredictable, Edwards considers it a predictable element he can prepare for and counter effectively. He acknowledges van Steenis' wrestling capabilities while maintaining confidence in his own grappling defense and conditioning to weather any wrestling-heavy approach. Edwards' technical understanding of this dynamic removes the element of surprise from the equation. He enters the bout knowing the likely strategic paths van Steenis will pursue, having already mentally prepared counter-strategies and understanding that his superior conditioning should prove advantageous in extended exchanges on the feet.
The Bigger Picture: A Potential Redemption Tour
Edwards envisions a comprehensive redemption narrative that extends beyond the Madrid bout. His ideal scenario unfolds across two sequential PFL events: first, defeating van Steenis decisively with a stoppage victory, then facing Johnny Eblen one week later in Pittsburgh to avenge two prior losses from his Bellator championship era. This ambitious timeline would represent the ultimate career arc—reclaiming his undefeated status while simultaneously capturing and defending a major title against someone who previously defeated him twice.
The potential matchup with Eblen carries profound significance. Rather than viewing his two previous losses as permanent stains on his record, Edwards frames another encounter as an opportunity for definitive closure. A PFL middleweight championship defense against Eblen would transform Edwards' career narrative from one defined by setbacks into one of sustained excellence and championship dominion. The logistics appear favorable, with Eblen likely facing Bryan Battle on the same Pittsburgh card, positioning himself for an immediate title shot should Edwards prevail in Madrid. For Edwards, this represents the perfect convergence of personal vindication and professional validation on the sport's biggest stages.