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PFL 2025 World Tournament: First Round 3 Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction 

Date: Friday, 18 April 2025 Time: 12:00 AM BST Venue: Universal Studios, Orlando, FL, USA SportsBoom previews the 2025 PFL First Round 3: Middlewights & Lightweights, featuring exciting matchups as the journey begins to the championship. With half a million dollars on the line, the 2025 PFL First Round competition is always of the highest standard. For fans looking to wager on the event, check out our MMA betting guide for the best offers and trusted sites.

Joshua Gaillard
J.G.

Last Updated: 2025-04-17

Chad Nagel

5 minutes read

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Impa Kasanganay

Impa Kasanganay//Getty Images

The 2025 PFL First Round 3: Lightweights & Middleweights — A Road to Glory

The 2025 PFL First Round 3 matches up elite talent from the Lightweight and Middleweight divisions. Headlining the night is former champion Impa Kasanganay and the slick technician Fabian Edwards. It’s a meeting of brute force and tactical finesse — a style matchup that could define the tone of this year’s tournament.

In the co-main, Dalton Rosta squares off with Sadibou Sy in a classic clash between wrestling and range striking. With both men eager to make a playoff push, don’t be surprised if this one gets scrappy early.

Pre-Fight, Odds, and Win Probability: Kasanganay Slight Favorite

Impa Kasanganay and Fabian Edwards headline the latest night of PFL World Tournament action, as the first round of the Middleweight and Lightweight tournaments take place. The American will face the Briton, brother of UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, in one of eight opening-round middleweight bouts, with plenty of talent looking to shine in Florida.

The stakes are high. The winner moves one step closer to the half a million prize and a spot in the semi-finals, while the loser sees an early exit. Both men enter this matchup on the back of losses, making this a crucial opportunity to bounce back and reassert their status among the PFL’s elite.

This marks Kasanganay’s return to middleweight after a brief but successful run at light heavyweight, where he captured the PFL title. He’s known for his explosiveness, raw strength, and increasingly disciplined approach. At 30, he’s hitting his physical peak and continues to improve. He’s become more measured in recent fights — still powerful, but far more calculated in when and how he explodes.

Edwards is heavy on timing and composure, using his lengthy attributes to set the tone early, so that it plays into his game. Standing 185 cm tall with a 202 cm reach, he’ll have the size edge in both height and wingspan. He’s at his best when he can steer the fight into a slow, deliberate striking battle, landing clean jabs and body kicks while avoiding heavy exchanges. But if Kasanganay disrupts that rhythm early, Edwards could be forced out of his comfort zone before he settles.

On paper, this is a style clash: firepower versus finesse. The x-factor could be Kasanganay’s ability to dictate where the fight takes place. If he pins Edwards to the cage and makes it a physical contest, he can break the pace and force mistakes. But if Edwards maintains distance and keeps his feet moving, he’s got the tools to frustrate and potentially outpoint the former champ over three rounds.

  1. Impa Kasanganay to Win: 4/7 (1.57) – 63.6%

  2. Fabian Edwards to Win: 11/8 (2.38) – 42.0%

  3. Prediction: Impa Kasanganay by KO/TKO.

  4. Betting odds courtesy of Stake, subject to change 

Tale of the Tape

Attribute Impa Kasagnanay Fabian Edwards
Age 3132
Height 180 cm (5’11”)185 cm (6’1”)
Weight 57kg (125 lbs) 57kg (125 lbs) 
Reach 191 cm (75”) 202 cm (79.5”) 
Record 18-5-013-4-0 
KO/TKO 28% (5 wins)31% (4 wins)
Submission 22% (4 wins)23% (3 wins)
Decisions 50% (9 wins)46% (6 wins)
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Kasanganay’s newfound measured approach will be tested against Edwards’ composed long-range fighting style. The physical attributes are tight, but the 11cm (4.5”) reach advantage plays well into the hands of Edwards’ style. On fight night, the execution will matter most.

Brent Primus celebrates after defeating Bruno Miranda.jpg

Brent Primus celebrates after defeating Bruno Miranda//Getty Images

Suggested Bets

Here are three bets to consider placing for PFL 2025 World Tournament: First Round 3:

  1. Dalton Rosta to Win: The co-main pits Rosta's raw athleticism and control-heavy wrestling against Sadibou Sy’s range striking. If Rosta can close the distance and keep Sy’s back on the fence, he’s got a real path to three rounds of dominance. 4/5 (1.80) – 55.6%

  2. Gadzhi Rabadanov to Win by Decision: Rabadanov’s grappling-first style matches up well with Diakiese, who’s struggled when forced on the back foot. Expect the Russian to grind out control time and dominate the positional exchanges enroute to a clear decision. 11/10 (2.10) – 47.6%

  3. Murad Ramazanov to Win: Ramazanov’s pressure wrestling and pace could be too much for Aaron Jeffery. If he gets early control, expect a smothering top game that Jeffery struggles to answer. 8/11 (1.73) – 57.9%

For sports betting in the world of MMA, staying on top of fighter form and any last-minute updates can make a real difference. Whether you're tracking line movement or matchup changes, exploring trusted sources for PFL betting insights can give you the edge when it matters most.

Value Bets

If you're looking for higher returns on your PFL wagers, these three value bets stand out based on current odds from Stake. While they come with more risk, the potential rewards are bigger, and using a free signup bonus can help boost your payout on these high-upside plays.

  1. Jay Jay Wilson to Win by Submission: Wilson’s ability to snatch submissions during transitions makes this a live angle. If Burnell walks into the pocket too often, he may leave his neck exposed — and Wilson won’t miss the opportunity. 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7%

  2. Impa Kasanganay to Win in Round 2: Kasanganay’s burst power can overwhelm opponents early, but he often finds his rhythm just as they start to fade. Round 2 is where he’s most dangerous — and against someone like Edwards who prefers a slower tempo, that timing could be perfect. 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%

  3. Brent Primus by Submission: While now on the prelims, Primus’ submission game is no joke. If Cenci overcommits on the feet or gets careless in scrambles, Primus has the savvy to turn it into a finish. 9/2 (5.50) – 18.2%

Full Card Predictions (Including Prelims)

Here are our picks for every bout at PFL 2025 First Round 2

  • Impa Kasanganay to defeat Fabian Edwards via KO/TKO
  • Dalton Rosta to defeat Sadibou Sy via Decision
  • Gadzhi Rabadanov to defeat Marc Diakiese via Decision
  • Jay Jay Wilson to defeat Mads Burnell via Submission
  • Murad Ramazanov to defeat Aaron Jeffery via Decision
  • Josh Silveira to defeat Mike Shipman via TKO
  • Clay Collard to defeat Alfie Davis via Decision
  • Khalid Murtazaliev to defeat Nick Maximov via Decision
  • Brent Primus to defeat Vinicius Cenci via Submission
  • Jacob Rosales to defeat Charlie Decca via Decision
Joshua Gaillard
Joshua Gaillard Sports Writer

Joshua Gaillard is a freelance editor and dedicated Arsenal fan, known for creating fact-based, insightful content. His work, featured on top South African websites, blends analysis with engaging storytelling for clear, impactful articles.

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