Costello van Steenis started his career with six wins in seven fights, capturing a regional middleweight title in 2017. That same year, he signed with Bellator, where he’s amassed a 7-2 record since – including a win over recent title challenger Fabian Edwards. Van Steenis, the training partner to former Bellator champion Gegard Mousasi, scored a second-round Von Flue choke submission win over Gregory Babene in May.

 

Joao Dantas has won seven of the eight MMA fights he’s had since coming onto the pro scene in 2015. All seven of his wins have come via knockout, and three of those KOs have happened in the first round. The Brazilian native most recently scored a second-round finish of Carlos Bazan in November 2022.

 

How will both fare in this global showcase middleweight bout that kicks off the action from Saudi Arabia?

 

 

Round 1

 

Van Steenis comes out with a slow, high stance, landing several hard low kicks. The Dutch kickboxer continued to chop at Dantas’ base. Suddenly, a high kick and DANTAS DROPS OUT COLD!

 

 

Costello Van Steenis ends this one quickly and in style! That’s how you start a night of championship action!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Costello Van Steenis defeats Joao Dantas by 1st round KO (head kick, 0:48) in a PFL Middleweight Showcase Bout

 

Van Steenis moves his career record to 16-3 with his 4th career knockout

 

Van Steenis has won 4 of his last 5 fights, only loss coming to Douglas Lima

 

Van Steenis is a training partner of former Bellator MW Champ Gegard Mousasi