Fabian Edwards is confident that the winner of Saturday night’s PFL main event between him and former light heavyweight tournament winner Impa Kasanganay will dominate the middleweight bracket.
However, there was a moment when Edwards thought the fight might not happen at all.
After going through the rigors of a fight camp and with his mother’s popular restaurant, Sweet’s Kitchen, in Birmingham, England, Edwards’ priorities seemed clear when he initially heard the bout was off.
“To be honest, that’s what happened,” said Edwards, 32, from Orlando, Florida, where this weekend’s PFL tournament will take place for middleweights and lightweights.
“They told me the fight was off, so I immediately thought, ‘I’m going down to my mum’s shop.’ Fortunately, it was just one meal, so I didn’t do too much damage. My manager eventually sorted out the visa issue, so everything is back on track now.”
Fabian Edwards celebrates after defeating Aaron Jeffery in their middleweight bout during the Bellator Champions Series at the SSE Arena in Belfast. (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
(David Fitzgerald via Getty Images)
Similar to his older brother, former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, Fabian Edwards transformed his life through mixed martial arts. Despite previous issues with obtaining a U.S. visa due to past legal troubles from his youth, Edwards remains optimistic about the future.
“It’s been frustrating, but I’ve been working on moving past those issues for years now. Hopefully, this will be the last time it affects me. I’ve fought in the U.S. before, so I didn’t anticipate any problems. Thankfully, everything has been resolved, and the fight is back on track.”
As a high-profile signing for Bellator, some fans were surprised to see Edwards listed as a +124 underdog for his upcoming fight. Confident in his abilities, Edwards believes Kasanganay will face a tough challenge at middleweight.
“Maybe they are underestimating me, but I focus on my own perspective. While he was the 2023 light heavyweight tournament winner, I believe most of those fighters are subpar. I think he will encounter much tougher competition in the middleweight division,” Edwards stated.
Despite his assessment of the light heavyweight fighters, Edwards predicts that the winner of the main event this weekend will ultimately claim victory in the tournament.
“I believe the winner of this fight will emerge as the overall champion. I think everyone in the bracket recognizes that possibility. That’s why I wanted this particular fight. It’s always been my goal,” Edwards explained.
“Stylistically, this matchup favors me. He tends to reach and be aggressive, leaving himself vulnerable to knockouts. I will seize the opportunity when it presents itself. I am the more precise and skilled fighter.”
Edwards appreciates the tournament format for its consistent activity. Moreover, his previous wins over other fighters in the bracket, such as Mike Shipman and Aaron Jeffery, boost his confidence.
“I wouldn’t mind a rematch with some of those opponents to settle the score once and for all. However, I believe Impa is the toughest competitor in the tournament, and overcoming him will set the tone for the rest,” Edwards added.
While accustomed to fighting in front of enthusiastic European crowds, Edwards gained a glimpse of the Universal Studios venue during teammate Jake Hadley’s recent victory in the bantamweight division.
Despite his current contentment, Edwards acknowledges the concerns raised by some Bellator champions regarding inactivity.
“I am currently satisfied with my situation, but I am concerned about the complaints from champions about the lack of fights. I hope they address these issues promptly,” Edwards concluded.