PFL Madrid results: Costello van Steenis knocks out Fabian Edwards in historic event in Spain PFL Madrid results: Costello van Steenis scores brutal knockout and defends title in historic tournament in Spain
History was made in Spain when the Professional Fighters League staged a memorable evening of fighting in front of a roaring crowd at the Palacio Vistalegre.
Headlining the landmark event, hometown hero Costello van Steenis delivered a dramatic finish to defend his championship and become the first fighter to win the main event of a major MMA event in Spain.
“Costello “The Spaniard” van Steenis (18-3) defended his PFL middleweight world title in his home country, making a mark in the history books as the first-ever winner of the main event of the first major MMA event in Spain.”
Facing rival Fabian Edwards for the second time, van Steenis survived the competitive battle before ending the program in devastating fashion.
“After a tough back-and-forth, Van Steenis defeated Fabian Edwards (16-5) for the second time when Edwards scored a takedown in the third round, positioning himself in perfect position against the fence for Costello to throw elbows at Edwards until he was unconscious.”
The decisive break in the match sent the Madrid crowd into jubilation, with van Steenis cementing his position among the Premier League’s top champions.
AJ McKee dominates the Co-Main Event
Former Bellator champion AJ McKee reminded fans why he remains one of the most hazardous featherweights in the world after a dominant victory over Ádám Borics.
“AJ “Mercenary” McKee (24-2) reminded the world that he is one of the most elite featherweights in the world with a dominant and all-around performance, defeating Ádám “The Kid” Borics (20-4) by unanimous decision. With momentum on his side, he is in the fight for 145-pound gold.”
McKee’s victory could move him closer to another world title shot as the PFL featherweight division continues to gain momentum.
Franco Tenaglia wins dramatic PFL debut
Argentine player Franco Tenaglia put in a powerful performance in his first promotion appearance against Frenchman Yassin Najid.
“Franco “El Rey de la Calle” Tenaglia (6-2) had his arm raised over French opponent Yassin “The Scientist” Najid (9-6) at Palacio Vistalegre when the doctor had to intervene behind schedule in Round 2. As Tenaglia drove in to complete the takedown, Najid tensed and his shoulder dislocated.”
“The former BKFC champion Argentine was adored by Spanish fans in his PFL debut and had a great future ahead of him.”
Jacinta Austin delivers a knockout when it matters most
Strawweight prospect Jacinta Austin made a huge statement with one of the most explosive finishes of the night against Benita van Rooij.
“Jacinta “The Juggernaut” Austin (9-2) took advantage of the huge stage at PFL Madrid to secure an impressive first-round knockout victory over Benita van Rooij (7-2). “Austin dropped Rooija with a solid right hand and then a vicious ground pound in an outstanding strawweight performance.”
Linton Vassell proves that age is just a number
Veteran heavyweight Linton Vassell opened the main card with authority against Jose Augusto.
“In the heavyweight bout, Linton “The Large Swarm” Vassell (26-10, 1 NC) put on a show, defeating Jose “Gugu” Augusto (11-6) by TKO in the first fight of the main card.”
“After securing the takedown, Vassell landed ponderous ground strikes, forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight. At 42 years elderly, Vassell proves that age is just a number.”
Main Card
Costello van Steenis’ finale. Fabian Edwards by KO (elbows), round 3, 1:48
AJ McKee def. Ádám Borics via unanimous decision
Franco Tenaglia def. Yassin Najid via TKO (doctor stoppage), round 2
Jacinta Austin finals Benita van Rooij by KO, round 1
Linton Vassell def. Jose Augusto by TKO, round 2
Introductory card
Luciano Pereira def. Kevin Cordero by KO, round 1
Borja Garcia def. Rafael Calderon via unanimous decision
Gino van Steenis def. Marek Ewen by KO, round 1
Mattia Giordano def. Ernesto Schisano via unanimous decision
Claudio Pacella def. David Mora via unanimous decision
Ignacio Campos def. Mathys Duragrin via unanimous decision
Dana
White has addressed veteran referee Dan Miragliotta's
controversial stand-up in the Renato
“Money†Moicano vs. Tom Nolan
bout.
Moicano suffered a third-round stoppage loss to Nolan at
UFC Vegas 123 on Oct. 31. However, the fight was marred by
controversy when Miragliotta stood the fighters up for inactivity
while Moicano had Nolan's back in the second round. While it's very
rare for a referee to intervene when a fighter has his opponent's
back, White defended Miragliotta's call.
Why Dana White believes Dan Miragliotta made the right
call
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO says that, under the
ruleset, damage is the key factor in stand-ups, not holding
position. White notes that some grapplers can ride their opponent's
back for three rounds and says the referee is right to intervene if
the fighter in a dominant position isn't trying to land damage or
advance position.
“I don't think it's about dominant position,†White said during a
media scrum captured by TheMacLife. “It's about, are you doing
damage or not, trying to win the fight? Some of these guys are so
good, they can f*cking take your back and ride it out for three
rounds. The rules are, if you’re not doing damage or trying to
advance your position, or trying to win the fight, you get stood
up.â€
Aaron Pico isn't in the business of picking and choosing his fights.
After he was supposed to face Arnold Allen at UFC 333, and ultimately faced top prospect Losene Keita instead, Pico never lost any sleep about going from a ranked opponent to a newcomer with only two UFC fights on his resume. In the end, Pico delivered a vicious first-round knockout to improve his own UFC record to 2-1 and now he's ready for the next step towards his ultimate goal of becoming champion.
Pico admits there are some ideal opponents out there for him as he looks ahead to what comes next.
“I think anybody ahead of me in the ranking,†Pixo told MMA Fighting. “I'm definitely going to be watching the Aljamain [Sterling] fight very closely. That's always a possibility. But Lerone Murphy, I'd love to fight him as well. I have no hard feelings against him other than he beat me, and I'd love to avenge that loss. I think fought I really dumb, and he got very, very lucky. But a lot of blessings came after that loss so I'm OK with it.
“We'll see how the Kevin Vallejos and Aljamain Sterling fight goes and if everything goes smooth and no injuries with those guys, maybe that's a possibility of fighting the winner of that. Can't have that, I'd love to run it back with Lerone Murphy. We'll have to see.â€
Of course, Murphy scored a knockout win over Pico in his octagon debut so it's understandable why that rematch offers so much interest to the former Bellator fighter.
That said, Pico makes it clear that he's not in the business of turning down fights much less being that selective when it comes to his opponents.
Much like accepting the Keita fight with the knowledge that it was a high risk, low reward situation, Pico just doesn't like the idea of picking and choosing his opponents even if the person he's fighting doesn't have a number next to their name.
“I'm just speaking honestly from the heart, I'm just going to let you know how I feel. I don't really look at the rankings or anything like that,†Pico said. “Of course, I'm like oh this guy is No. 5 or this guy is No. 10. I'm truly in the mindset I'm after one thing and that's to be the best fighter in the world and fight the best in the world.
“Of course, I have a manager and I let him handle a lot of things and I tell him ‘who do you want me to fight?' and I always tell my family this, when I'm 60 years old in my rocking chair at my ranch, I want to be able to say I fought whoever they threw at me. I really don't give a shit. Some guys are like ‘I can't fight him because he's No. 10 or No. 12 and I'm No. 4.' I truly don't even look at that.
Pico would love nothing more than to have the chance to climb up the featherweight ladder and eventually fight for the title but he's not going to turn down fights just because an opponent doesn't logically make sense.
“I'm of the mindset right now, I am a beginner and I'm trying to learn as much as I possibly can,†Pico said. “I know I have to fight the best guys in the world. Yeah, of course, it's going to be a little bit scary. Of course, I'm a little bit nervous going into fights and training camps, but that just is what it is.
“I'm comfortable with that. If I fight a guy that's not ranked, it just is what it is. I know if I have that mindset, the belt will come sooner than later.â€
Aaron Pico isn't in the business of picking and choosing his fights.
After he was supposed to face Arnold Allen at UFC 333, and ultimately faced top prospect Losene Keita instead, Pico never lost any sleep about going from a ranked opponent to a newcomer with only two UFC fights on his resume. In the end, Pico delivered a vicious first-round knockout to improve his own UFC record to 2-1 and now he's ready for the next step towards his ultimate goal of becoming champion.
Pico admits there are some ideal opponents out there for him as he looks ahead to what comes next.
“I think anybody ahead of me in the ranking,†Pixo told MMA Fighting. “I'm definitely going to be watching the Aljamain [Sterling] fight very closely. That's always a possibility. But Lerone Murphy, I'd love to fight him as well. I have no hard feelings against him other than he beat me, and I'd love to avenge that loss. I think fought I really dumb, and he got very, very lucky. But a lot of blessings came after that loss so I'm OK with it.
“We'll see how the Kevin Vallejos and Aljamain Sterling fight goes and if everything goes smooth and no injuries with those guys, maybe that's a possibility of fighting the winner of that. Can't have that, I'd love to run it back with Lerone Murphy. We'll have to see.â€
Of course, Murphy scored a knockout win over Pico in his octagon debut so it's understandable why that rematch offers so much interest to the former Bellator fighter.
That said, Pico makes it clear that he's not in the business of turning down fights much less being that selective when it comes to his opponents.
Much like accepting the Keita fight with the knowledge that it was a high risk, low reward situation, Pico just doesn't like the idea of picking and choosing his opponents even if the person he's fighting doesn't have a number next to their name.
“I'm just speaking honestly from the heart, I'm just going to let you know how I feel. I don't really look at the rankings or anything like that,†Pico said. “Of course, I'm like oh this guy is No. 5 or this guy is No. 10. I'm truly in the mindset I'm after one thing and that's to be the best fighter in the world and fight the best in the world.
“Of course, I have a manager and I let him handle a lot of things and I tell him ‘who do you want me to fight?' and I always tell my family this, when I'm 60 years old in my rocking chair at my ranch, I want to be able to say I fought whoever they threw at me. I really don't give a shit. Some guys are like ‘I can't fight him because he's No. 10 or No. 12 and I'm No. 4.' I truly don't even look at that.
Pico would love nothing more than to have the chance to climb up the featherweight ladder and eventually fight for the title but he's not going to turn down fights just because an opponent doesn't logically make sense.
“I'm of the mindset right now, I am a beginner and I'm trying to learn as much as I possibly can,†Pico said. “I know I have to fight the best guys in the world. Yeah, of course, it's going to be a little bit scary. Of course, I'm a little bit nervous going into fights and training camps, but that just is what it is.
“I'm comfortable with that. If I fight a guy that's not ranked, it just is what it is. I know if I have that mindset, the belt will come sooner than later.â€
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