The clash between the past PFL season champion and two-time Bellator MMA title challenger is the third and third headline of the first round fight cards of the four 2025 PFL World Tournament on Friday in Orlando, Florida (ESPN/ESPN+ 7pm, ESPN+ reserve).
Impa Kasanganay, who won the 2023 light heavyweight season and won the finalist in 2024, won Fabian Edwards in one of four middleweight matches. The Universal Studios card also features four lightweight matches where 2024 champion Gadzhi Rabadanov, who will make his PFL debut after a stint at UFC and Bellator, will face Mark Diakies.
These are my favorite four bets on the cards.
Middleweight: Impa Kasanganay vs. Fabian Edwards
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Kasanganai wants to bounce back after losing last year’s final and takes on a PFL rookie who should give him a fun stand-up battle. Kasanganai has a wrestling advantage, so if he can avoid heavy strikes and put Edwards on his back, this should be a victory for Kasanganai. The endless gas tank needs to be made difficult for Kasanganai to push the pace and Edwards to catch up.
Prediction: Kasanganai wins (-150)
Lightweight: Kazilla Rabadanov vs. Marc Diakies
Rabadanov has to start a bid to become a back-to-back champion and leans into wrestling to take Diakie’s kickboxing. In his past few fights, Dearki led the way in wrestling, but those matches were against fellow strikers. Against Rabadanov, he needs to keep fighting, and I think he will have a hard time. I’m not expecting a finish. I decide to get better odds as Rabadanov is a favorite of -800 to win.
Prediction: Rabadanov to win by decision
Middleweight: Sadibou Sy vs. Dalton Rosta
The 2022 PFL welterweight champion and perennial contender, SY is hoping to compete in his third PFL weight class and win his first title in two divisions. He has to avoid rosta wrestling. This is the same challenge he faces in most of his fight. At the feet, few strikers are better than SY. Over the past few years, we have seen improvements in SY’s Takedown Defense. If he can survive the early storm from Rosta, SY should advance to the semi-finals.
Prediction: sy to win (-140)
Lightweight: Claycollard vs. Alfie Davis
Fan favorite collards coming out of the disappointing season aim to host a show at the main card opener. His opponent of Davis, a former Bellator fighter, takes the fight to the ground as soon as the bell rings. Hopefully Collado avoids takedowns early and uses his boxing to tire Davis during the third round. Unless Collado is taken to the mat and held back, he should have no problem winning.
Prediction: Collado to Win (-140)
