Sports

Three New Kings Crowned: Edwards, Popov and “Shoeface” Win PFL World Titles

Published

1 year ago

August 24, 2025

Coach

Historic Night at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida: Edwards, Popov, and Shoeface Crowned PFL World Champions in 2025 Finals.

August 21st, 2025

Fabian Edwards Wins PFL Middleweight Title with Highlight-Reel Head Kick

Fabian Edwards, younger brother of former UFC champ Leon Edwards, finally earned his big moment by winning the PFL Middleweight World Tournament. His opponent, rising star Dalton Rosta, used his wrestling and pressure early, even hurting Edwards in the second round. But in the third, Edwards struck back with a perfectly timed head kick that knocked Rosta out cold.

The finish looked like a mirror image of Leon Edwards’ famous head-kick knockout that won him the UFC title, cementing Fabian’s own championship legacy.

Official Result: Fabian Edwards def. Dalton Rosta — KO (Head Kick) Round 3, 1:28

Oleg Popov Avenges Last Year’s Loss, Becomes PFL Heavyweight Champion

Oleg Popov, a protégé of MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko, finally earned redemption in the PFL Heavyweight World Tournament. Last year he fell short in the finals, but this time he went the distance against Alexandr Romanov, a strong wrestler making his first run at gold.

The bout wasn’t the most thrilling to watch, with long clinch battles and grinding exchanges, but it stayed competitive from start to finish. Romanov had success with knees and uppercuts, while Popov chipped away with low kicks, steady punches, and relentless pressure.

After five tough rounds, the judges awarded Popov a split decision, giving him the 2025 PFL Heavyweight World Tournament Title and revenge for last year’s loss.

Official Result: Oleg Popov def. Alexandr Romanov — Split Decision (47-48, 49-46, 49-48)

Antonio Carlos Jr Wins $500,000 PFL Title After Bloody Thriller at Hard Rock

Antonio Carlos Jr, better known to many as “Shoeface” delivered an unforgettable performance to win his second PFL championship. Facing Sullivan Cauley, “Shoeface” battled through a brutal, all-action fight that had the Hard Rock crowd on their feet from start to finish.

Both men went to war early, trading knockdowns and momentum swings in a wild two-round slugfest. At one point, Carlos Jr even stunned Cauley with an up-kick off his back. But the Brazilian turned the tide for good in the second round, landing a big head kick that set up a rear naked choke finish.

It was as bloody as it was exciting, and the fans roared as Carlos Jr claimed the 2025 PFL Light Heavyweight World Tournament Title and a $500,000 prize. With the win, he adds to the $1 million he earned in 2021 and now has $1.5 million in PFL tournament winnings.

SUBMISSION

Official Result: Antonio “Shoeface” Carlos Jr. def. Sullivan Cauley (Rear-Naked Choke) Rounds 2, 3:44.

Earlier results:

Alexei Pergande def. Ethan Goss via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 1, 3:52
Lazaro Dayron def. Bryce Meredith via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:06
Impa Kasanganay def. Andrew Sanchez via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:31
Rasul Magomedov def. Guilherme Viana via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Sergey Bilostenniy def. Karl Williams via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:11
Josh Silveira def. Murad Ramazanov via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
J.P. Saint Louis def. Tyler Ray via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Kasanganay vs Sanchez at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Romanov vs Popov at the2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Romanov vs Popov at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Cauley vs "Shoeface" at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Cauley vs "Shoeface" at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Cauley vs "Shoeface" at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Cauley vs "Shoeface" at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Cauley vs "Shoeface" at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Cauley vs "Shoeface" at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Pergande vs Goss at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Pergande vs Goss at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Meridith vs Dayron at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Kasanganay vs Sanchez at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Romanov vs Popov at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Magomedoc vs Viana at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Bilostenniy vs Williams at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Silvveira vs Rama at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Sain Louis vs Ray at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Sain Louis vs Ray at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Rosta vs Edwards at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Rosta vs Edwards at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Rosta vs Edwards at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Rosta vs Edwards at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Rosta vs Edwards at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Rosta vs Edwards at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Rosta vs Edwards at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Cooper Neill / PFL)

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Coach is South Florida Insider's Owner, President, Webmaster, as well as a Reporter and Photographer covering events all over the world. Born in West Palm Beach, Coach continues to call the sunny Florida area home. He received his Associate degree from the University of South Florida, then transferred to the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Journalism & Communications. During his journalistic career, which has been featured in local newspapers and magazines as well as national publications, Coach has also continued his love of being an educator. It’s through both endeavors that he’s actively got students interested in following in the field of journalism. Coach loves sharing the world of entertainment with others and giving people the opportunity to step out of the everyday life.