Preview: PFL 2025 World Tournament 3

The Professional Fighters League rolls along with the PFL 2025 World Tournament by putting forth an action-packed card loaded with talent from top to bottom this Friday at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. In the main event, former PFL champion Impa Kasanganay faces one of his most dangerous tests yet when a middleweight quarterfinal pits him against the slick counterpunching skills of Fabian Edwards. Meanwhile, American Top Team’s Dalton Rosta takes on Swedish kickboxer Sadibou Sy when their middleweight quarterfinal serves as the co-headliner. The rest of the bill features middleweights and lightweights in quarterfinal action, as the PFL prepares to set off more fireworks.

Now to the PFL 2025 World Tournament 3 preview:

Middleweight Quarterfinal

Impa Kasanganay (18-5, 8-2 PFL) vs. Fabian Edwards (13-4, 0-1 PFL)

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the PFL World Tournament LIVE Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+.

Two of the biggest names in the PFL will square off in a quarterfinal match that will bring fans out of their seats. Kasanganay signed on to the PFL in 2023 after earning his spot through the Challenger Series. He rose to fame after winning four straight fights to claim the 2023 PFL light heavyweight title. After an impressive scrap with Bellator MMA middleweight champion Johnny Eblen, Kasanganay turned his head toward defending his tournament title. Kasanganay looked like an improved fighter throughout his second title run but was shocked in the final, where Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov stopped him in the first round. Kasanganay usually looks to start fast and set the pace on his opponents, but he simply ran into a shot that he couldn’t shake off fast enough against Yagshimuradov. Will his upset defeat force him to change his tactics, or can we expect the same high energy out the gate? Kasanganay has already proven to be able to handle top light heavyweights, but middleweight could be an even better fit. He’s still intense, explosive and dangerous, and he could be a potential favorite to come out of the field. While Kasanganay will adjust to a new weight class in this fight, Edwards is set to make his 18th appearance at 185 pounds. Edwards has nearly seen the middleweight mountaintop but fell short twice of the summit after losing to Eblen in two encounters. Edwards has already beaten fellow tournament entrants Aaron Jeffery and Mike Shipman, but both fights were close. Edwards is a skilled, counterpunching southpaw who thrives off movement and maintaining distance. In his battle against Jeffery, Edwards showed solid takedown defense and clinch work. He’s slippery and good at sneaking in elbows and knees on the inside and could catch an opponent at the most unexpected time.

This fight is a clash of styles that will pit Kasanganay’s pressure against Edwards’ precision. Kasanganay isn’t shy about coming forward and letting his hands go. He will look to press Edwards towards the cage and take him to the mat. Edwards will look to play at long range and pepper Kasanganay with jabs and kicks. If Kasanganay can close off the cage, he will have a lot of success in the clinch as the stronger man. Edwards will be forced to respect Kasanganay’s takedown attempts and could lose valuable control time fighting him off. When paired with the fact that Kasanganay will likely throw more power shots, it could give him an edge on the scorecards. If Edwards can stifle Kasanganay’s wrestling and land the cleaner, more effective shots, he could hand the UFC veteran his second straight loss.

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Kasanganay vs. Edwards
Rosta vs. Sy
Rabadanov vs. Diakiese
Wilson vs. Burnell
The Prelims