Known for his self-described slick and technical striking, Fabian Edwards has scored finishes in eight of his 14 victories, including six coming in the first round. Edwards, the younger brother of Leon Edwards, went 9-3 in Bellator and is a former middleweight title challenger, with notable victories over the likes of Lyoto Machida, Gegard Mousasi, and Aaron Jeffery. Edwards has won five of his last seven, including his highlight knockout of 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight World Champion Impa Kasanganay in the First Round of the Middleweight World Tournament in April.

 

Joshua Silveira was a wrestler at Arizona State prior to joining the MMA world, picking up a Pac-12 championship at 197 pounds in 2016. Silveira, the 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Runner-Up, has scored finishes in 12 of his 14 victories, with 71 percent of his victories coming in the first round. After losing to Kasaganay in the World Championship in 2023 and Global Season Playoffs in2024, Silveira advanced to tonight’s Semifinals by defeating Mike Shipman in April.

 

Who will go on to face Dalton Rosta in the Finals of the PFL Middleweight World Tournament?

 

 

Round 1

 

A pair of low kicks from Silveira took Edwards off his feet. Edwards looks to respond. More low kicks from the two. Jabs from both men. More low kicks from Silveira. Low kick from Edwards. One-two from Edwards. Another one-two from Edwards. Strong right hand from Edwards. Right hand and a low kick from Edwards. Combination from Silveira is answered by a one-two. Silveira with a strong exchange before pressing Edwards into the fence. Edwards reverses the position. Now, Silveira gets it back.

 

The fighters are warned for fingers in either the fence or gloves. The fight returns to the center, with Edwards landing another low kick. Another leg kick and a right hand from Edwards. Silveira with a takedown attempt. Edwards holding himself up. Edwards reverses things, and he’s going for a reverse triangle! Silveira gets out of it, but Edwards looks for a kimura trap. Silveira peels Edwards off. Silveira now gets to Edwards’ back, but he rides too high to get anything going with it.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Body kick from Silveira. Right hand from Edwards. Combination from Edwards. One-two from Edwards. Right hand by Edwards. The two exchange jabs. One-two from Silveira before he goes after the leg. Edwards appears to stuff the takedown attempt and is now trying to control Silveira’s head. Edwards appears to be looking at Silveira’s left arm. Edwards with an elbow. Silveira gets back to his feet before a separation. Leg kick by Edwards. Right hand by Silveira. Kick to the midsection by Edwards. Edwards with an elbow again.

 

Edwards lands to the body, but Silveira brings him to the fence in a clinch. Edwards lands a knee to the body that appeared to hurt Silveira. Silveira goes to a knee, and Edwards is hunting for a deep choke. Edwards trying to fully get to Silveira’s back. Elbow to the leg by Silveira. Edwards is on Silveira’s back, trying to get a body lock in. Silveira returns to his knees, but Edwards looks to regain control. Edwards works his way into side control. Knee to the body by Edwards as Silveira returns to his feet. Edwards lands combinations. Edwards lands a downward elbow as Silveira tries to press him into the fence.

 

 

 

Round 3

 

The two exchange to start the final frame. Right hand by Edwards. Low kicks from both men. Jabs from both men now. Right hand by Edwards. Low kick by Edwards. Round kick by Silveira. Jab by Silveira. Low kick from each man. Left hand by Edwards, followed by a jab to the body. Right hand by Edwards. Low kick by Silveira. Edwards works an inside combination. Body shot by Edwards. Combination by Edwards. Silveira presses Edwards into the fence. Edwards reverses the position and is back to threatening Silveira’s back on the ground.

 

Knee to the thigh by Edwards. Edwards is heavy on the back of Silveira. Edwards is now completely on the back and trying to get hooks in. Silveira climbs up and presses Edwards into the fence, sitting him back. Now they’re back to the feet, but Edwards lands a knee before the separation. Edwards wobbles Silveira with the left hand! Silveira goes back to the ground, and Edwards lands a pair of kicks to the legs before an axe kick! Edwards now in the headlock position, threatening Silveira’s neck. Strong right elbow from Edwards. Left elbow now.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Fabian Edwards defeats Josh Silveira by unanimous decision (29-28 x3), advancing to the final in the Middleweight Bracket. He’ll face Dalton Rosta for the 2025 PFL World Tournament Middleweight Title.