The Professional Fighters League (PFL) continues to redefine the world of mixed martial arts in 2025. On April 18, the league returns with its third major event of the season: PFL 3, set at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando. This night carries immense weight in the championship race, as fighters from the Middleweight and Lightweight divisions compete in World Tournament Quarterfinals.
The PFL’s format differs sharply from other major MMA organizations. Fighters don’t rely on promoters or popularity to earn title shots. Instead, they advance through a merit-based tournament structure, earning points and moving through brackets to claim a $1 million prize. This structure increases the intensity of every fight—and fans love it.
Tonight’s card features several thrilling matchups, headlined by Impa Kasanganay vs. Fabian Edwards and Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Marc Diakiese. These fighters don’t just chase victory—they fight for survival in a ruthless playoff system.
Main Event: Impa Kasanganay vs. Fabian Edwards
Impa Kasanganay enters the cage tonight with fire in his eyes and a point to prove. After falling short in the PFL Light Heavyweight Championship final in 2024, he dropped to Middleweight to reset and refocus. The Florida native wants to dominate in front of a home-state crowd. Fans admire his calm demeanor outside the cage, but inside, he fights with unrelenting aggression and precision.
Kasanganay’s fighting style blends powerful striking with strong takedown defense. He throws clean combinations and remains composed even under pressure. His footwork and fight IQ allow him to control distance and dictate pace.
Across from him stands Fabian Edwards, a battle-tested Englishman with a deep background in striking and grappling. Edwards, the younger brother of UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards, brings a complete game to the PFL cage. He suffered a controversial defeat to Johnny Eblen last year, but he refuses to dwell on that moment. Instead, he sharpened his ground defense and focused on endurance and explosive movement.
Edwards thrives when he mixes techniques. He throws feints and leg kicks to break rhythm and shoots for takedowns when opponents expect punches. He also maintains excellent fight posture, which makes him tough to counter.
Tonight’s main event presents a textbook “striker vs. all-rounder” matchup. Kasanganay holds the edge in raw power, but Edwards brings better adaptability. The fighter who imposes his rhythm first will likely control the outcome. The stakes couldn’t be higher—whoever wins moves one step closer to a million-dollar payday and tournament glory.
Co-Main Event: Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Marc Diakiese
Gadzhi Rabadanov enters PFL 3 with one goal—defend his Lightweight crown and dominate the bracket. He won the PFL Lightweight Championship in 2024 and carried that momentum into 2025 with unshakable confidence. His team at American Kickboxing Academy trusts him to handle every opponent who comes his way.
Rabadanov blends Russian-style sambo with American wrestling techniques. He grapples with relentless pressure and forces opponents to fight off their backs. When he gains top control, he unleashes punishing ground-and-pound. His striking may not match Diakiese’s flash, but he lands effectively and never wastes movement.
Across from him, British striker Marc Diakiese returns to the spotlight. After a rollercoaster UFC career, Diakiese reinvented himself. He joined the PFL with improved takedown defense and a more calculated approach to striking. He still possesses world-class speed and explosive counterpunching. When he keeps fights standing, he creates problems for anyone in the division.
Diakiese plans to use his footwork to frustrate Rabadanov. He must circle, jab, and punish failed takedown attempts. If he can stretch the fight into the third round while staying upright, he could score an upset win.
However, Rabadanov doesn’t give many openings. He breaks opponents with consistent pressure, and when he senses fatigue, he attacks like a machine. Fans anticipate this matchup with great interest because of the contrast in styles and the possibility of a knockout or submission.
Undercard Highlights
The rest of the fight card features several promising matchups that could steal the spotlight. Mads Burnell, a former Cage Warriors champion, takes on Jay-Jay Wilson, who climbed through Bellator’s ranks before jumping to the PFL. Burnell relies on elite grappling and cardio, while Wilson prefers dynamic striking mixed with high-risk submissions.
In the Middleweight division, Sadibou Sy faces Dalton Rosta. Sy, a longtime PFL veteran and former champion, brings flashy kicks and long-range striking. Rosta, a newcomer with a wrestling-heavy game, aims to drag Sy into the clinch and grind out a decision. This matchup pits experience against hunger—a classic PFL theme.
Each of these fights influences the tournament standings. Every win earns points, every finish earns bonuses, and every performance builds momentum. Fighters understand the urgency. No one coasts in this league.
Event Atmosphere and Broadcast
PFL 3 takes place at Universal Studios Florida, adding a unique backdrop to the night’s action. Fans will gather inside the venue’s custom-built combat zone, surrounded by theme park lights and intense energy. The PFL invested heavily in production, offering cinematic walkouts, live data visuals, and corner audio feeds.
Broadcasters on ESPN2 and ESPN+ will provide live coverage, offering English and Spanish commentary. Former fighters like Randy Couture and Kenny Florian will break down techniques and strategy during analysis segments. Interviews and behind-the-scenes access keep viewers connected to fighters before and after the action.
The PFL also enhances fan engagement through real-time voting, social media polls, and interactive prediction contests. They blend traditional broadcasting with new-age digital interaction, which expands their global reach.
What’s Next?
Winners tonight move one step closer to the PFL semifinals. From there, the top fighters will enter the playoff bracket, with only four competitors advancing to the final stage. The championship fights will take place later in the year, with each division offering a $1 million prize to its champion.
For fighters like Kasanganay and Rabadanov, tonight’s matchups offer more than just victory—they offer legacy. Both already own titles and highlights, but they seek sustained dominance. Younger challengers like Edwards, Diakiese, and Rosta aim to shake up the order and rewrite the headlines.
This season showcases the league’s growing depth. As new fighters enter and old champions return, the competition grows fiercer. Every fight counts. Every round tells a story. The PFL demands excellence, and tonight, Orlando hosts a card filled with pressure, passion, and potential.
