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
Oscar De La Hoya believes Zuffa Boxing is trying to fool fighters by offering select names bigger paydays in the short term.
Recently, the promotion booked its biggest match to date with Conor Benn challenging Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight title on Sept. 12. Benn is signed to Zuffa Boxing, while Garcia is under De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions. While this will be a co-promoted event, De La Hoya still has major issues with TKO and Zuffa Boxing.
In a new video posted on his Instagram page, De La Hoya ripped the Dana White-led promotion for attempting to trick boxers into thinking their big money payouts will last (via MMAFighting).
“So I saw The Odyssey the other day,†De La Hoya said. “It was about the Greeks and how they invaded the city of Troy by disguising themselves inside a Trojan Horse. They tricked their enemies to get inside their gates and the rest is history. Today, Zuffa Boxing is the Trojan Horse.
“They are overpaying a few boxers to make it seem like this big money will continue, but it won't. Once they monopolize the sport like they want to, Zuffa will pay fighters peanuts, exactly like the UFC. It's the same model. They want to change the Muhammad Ali Act so they can operate as their own league with their own rules, their own rankings, their own unicorn belt. They're luring in the biggest names for fight-by-fight deals. No long contracts. That's why you see Shakur and Conor fighting a one- or two-fight deal. Never a long-term deal. But again, this is the Trojan Horse.â€
Shakur Stevenson has been Zuffa Boxing's biggest acquisition to date. The deal was largely expected given Terence Crawford's close ties to White. Crawford has taken Stevenson under his wing throughout the years.
Many other longtime promoters, such as Matchroom's Eddie Hearn, have also taken aim at Zuffa for attempting to monopolize boxing. White has insisted that he's doing his own thing and isn't trying to step on anyone's toes.
Do you agree with Oscar De La Hoya, or is it sour grapes now that Zuffa Boxing is establishing its brand? Share your opinion in the comments below.
A pivotal women’s flyweight matchup has been removed from the next
Ultimate Fighting Championship numbered event.
Erin
Blanchfield’s bout against Jasmine
Jasudavicius has been scrapped from the Aug. 15 card at Xfinity
Mobile Arena in Philadelphia due to an injury on Blanchfield's end,
per MMA Junkie's Nolan King. The promotion is reportedly looking to
rebook the contest for a UFC Fight Night event on Oct. 17 at Rogers
Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, instead.
The withdrawal marks the first time Blanchfield has been forced out
of a fight during her UFC tenure. She is on a two-fight win streak,
beating Rose
Namajunas and Tracy
Cortez in her most recent Octagon appearances.
Meanwhile, Jasudavicius was looking to build on a unanimous
decision win over Karine
Silva in April. With her clash with Blanchfield now being
targeted for the next UFC event in Canada, she'll have the crowd
behind her when they eventually collide.
The UFC 330 lineup is currently as follows:
Islam
Makhachev vs. Ian Machado
Garry – for welterweight title Mackenzie
Dern vs. Gillian
Robertson – for women’s strawweight title Edson
Barboza vs. Esteban
Ribovics Tresean
Gore vs. Vicente
Luque Mansur
Abdul-Malik vs. Dustin
Stoltzfus Myktybek
Orolbai vs. Jeremiah
Wells Geoff
Neal vs. Chidi
Njokuani Ramiz
Brahimaj vs. Neil
Magny Kaue
Fernandes vs. Jalin
Turner Charles
Johnson vs. Jose
Ochoa Lucas
Fernando vs. Rafael
Tobias Donte
Johnson vs. Eric
McConico
After 15 years, Darren Elkins is set for his final UFC bout. |
📷: Getty/UFC
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship has finalized the lineup for its
next Fight Night at Meta Apex in Las Vegas, including Octagon
veteran Darren
Elkins' final appearance in the promotion.
The card, headlined by Mateusz
Gamrot and Quillan
Salkilld, is scheduled for Aug. 8.
UFC Fight Night lineup features Darren Elkins vs. Yadier Del
Valle and Gamrot vs. Salkilld
Elkins (29-12) will square off against
Dana White's Contender Series alum Yadier Del
Valle.
The 42-year-old has been on the UFC roster since 2010, earning
memorable victories over the likes of Mirsad
Bektic, Michael
Johnson, Dennis
Bermudez and Luiz
Eduardo Garagorri. Furthermore, Elkins has shared the cage with
several former champions and fan favorites, albeit in losing
efforts, against Alexander
Volkanovski, Charles
Oliveira, Chad Mendes
and UFC Hall of Famer Cub
Swanson.
New matchups added to the card include Ty Cole
Miller vs. Billy Goff,
Juliana
Miller vs. Ravena
Oliveira, Diego
Ferreira vs. Billy
Quarantillo and Diyar
Nurgozhay vs. Bruno
Lopes, among others. Gamrot and Salkilld lock horns in the main
event, with former strawweight title challenger Amanda
Lemos facing Alexia
Thainara in the co-headliner.
The updated card as of June 23 is as follows:
Mateusz
Gamrot vs. Quillan
Salkilld (lightweight main event) Amanda
Lemos vs. Alexia
Thainara (women's strawweight) Diego
Ferreira vs. Billy
Quarantillo (lightweight) Steven
Asplund vs. Guilherme
Pat (heavyweight) Diyar
Nurgozhay vs. Bruno Lopes
(light heavyweight) Louie
Sutherland vs. Jose Luiz
(heavyweight) Juliana
Miller vs. Ravena
Oliveira (women’s flyweight) Darren
Elkins vs. Yadier Del
Valle (featherweight) Ty
Cole Miller vs. Billy Goff
(welterweight)