Fabian Edwards is acutely aware of the importance of his first Professional Fighters League (PFL) tournament fight, especially after a difficult year for his family.
Since March of last year, following Fabian`s victory over Aaron Jeffery, both Fabian and his brother Leon Edwards have maintained a perfect record of 3-0 in their respective PFL and UFC careers.
However, the past year has presented challenges. Leon Edwards lost his welterweight title to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304, and Fabian was unsuccessful in his attempt to capture the Bellator title against Johnny Eblen in Saudi Arabia. Adding to the setbacks, Leon recently suffered his first UFC defeat in London against Sean Brady.
Fabian Edwards Fighting to Uphold Family`s Legacy in PFL World Tournament
Fabian Edwards now has a significant opportunity to enhance his record against Impa Kasanganay, the 2023 PFL champion. He recognizes that this fight carries the weight of his family`s renowned fighting name, particularly after recent setbacks experienced by him and his brother.
“Absolutely,” Fabian responded when asked about fighting for his family`s legacy. “Facing someone like Impa is tough because he seems like a good guy. But in the fight, I plan to use every part of my body, every limb to strike him.”
“I aim to demonstrate that we are still a force, still among the top brother duos in the world. We need to prove it… There`s a lot of pent-up energy, and it needs to be released. I`m eager to get into the cage and unleash my full potential.”
Potential Rematch with Mike Shipman Looms for Fabian Edwards in PFL Semi-Finals
A notable rivalry in British MMA history involves Fabian Edwards and Mike Shipman. Their encounters, both inside and outside the cage in 2019, culminated in a closely contested Bellator match where Edwards secured a controversial split decision victory. Many felt their feud remained unresolved.
Fate could set the stage for a rematch in the United States this summer. Shipman is scheduled to compete against Josh Silveira, the 2023 PFL finalist, who is also seeking a rematch against Impa Kasanganay, having lost to him twice in previous seasons.
“That would be amusing, can you imagine?” Edwards chuckled. “I`d definitely take him on. It would be a great fight, and I’d defeat him this time for sure. Our previous build-up was intense; I was younger and more unrestrained then.”
“I`m not sure how it would be now, being older. Back then, I might have confronted him outside the ring. It was probably nothing serious, just how things were!”
