In the PFL Hollywood main event from the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida two former Bellator contenders collided in the PFL Middleweight World Tournament finals. Fabian Edwards is an athletic striker, who previously challenged for championship gold against Johnny Eblen. Dalton Rosta started this tournament as an alternate, proving himself in the opening round over promotion standout Sadibou Sy and then picking up a win over the only man to defeat him Aaron Jeffery in the semifinals.
To open the fight, Rosta threatened a front kick to the body that missed. Edwards seemed to be gauging distance, trying to pick up a read on the timing of Rosta. Each fighter landed a low leg kick as the first minute was a feeling out process between the two. Fabian crashed forward with a straight left hand, as Rosta answered with a right hand. A knee up the middle forced a stop to the action as it landed low on Edwards.
When action resumed, Edwards pressed forward looking to land a straight left hand and body kick to follow. A good body kick from Edwards found a home, and shortly after Rosta crashed forward with his first takedown attempt of the contest. Dragging Edwards to the ground, Rosta was able to secure control against the fence and land an elbow over the top before slamming Edwards back to the canvas.
With a minute left in the round, Rosa was in top position momentarily, before Edwards scrambled back to his feet. After the first round, Rosta had jumped out to an early lead after landing multiple takedowns.
The second started with Edwards pressing forward looking to land a damaging blow as Rosta retreated. Rosta then sprung into action coming forward with massive hooks, Fabian stood strong in the pocket throwing straight punches to answer. Both fighters stood and traded before Rosta forced the fight to the clinch against the fence. On the exit Rosta landed a big right hook that sent Edwards stumbling backwards. Rosta was implementing a very smart gameplan through the first two rounds, giving no space to the technical striker in Edwards. Rosta was able to catch a kick from Edwards and force the fight to the ground once again. Fabian got back to his feet, as Rosta remained in control for the final fifteen seconds of the round.
In the third, Edwards threw a high head kick that narrowly missed. A good knee to the body from Edwards got Rosta’s attention early in the round. Fighting with his back foot against the fence, Rosta attempted to block a kick to the body but it went upstairs instead. Very similar to the same kick his brother Leon captured UFC gold with against Kamaru Usman, Fabian landed a picture perfect left head kick that shut Dalton Rosta’s lights off! One of the most spectacular knockouts of the entire season capped an unbelievable tournament in the middleweight division. A monumental win for Fabian Edwards who became a world (tournament anyway) champion for the first time with this come from behind win.
Official Result: Fabian Edwards def. Dalton Rosta by KO (head kick), Round 3, 1:28
