Fabian Edwards throws a kick | Bellator MMA
The pair of middleweights will square off in an important showdown at the SSE Arena, Wembley in the next installment of the European Series.
An all-European, middleweight showdown will co-main event Bellator’s return to London.
One of the most talked about prospects in Europe, Fabian Edwards, makes his return to the nation’s capital against Dutchman, Costello van Steenis, in a bout which will see the winner progress up the 185lbs ladder. The promotion announced the booking via a press release on Friday morning. Bellator London takes place on Saturday, March 16 at the SSE Arena, Wembley and will be broadcast live on Channel 5 for fans in the UK. Viewers in the US will be able to watch the event on Bellator MMA’s YouTube Channel.
Edwards (9-0) will be looking to pick up his tenth victory almost three years to the date from when he made his professional debut. The Team Renegade member, who is the brother of top UFC welterweight Leon Edwards, defeated Mike Shipman by split decision in his last outing in a long-awaited grudge match. Prior to that win, Edwards overcame Kent Kauppinen, Lee Chadwick and Falco Neto Lopes inside the cage on his unbeaten run.
van Steenis (12-2) is mentored by former middleweight champion, Gegard Mousasi, and trains out of MMA Vlaardingen in the Netherlands. He has four victories in Bellator including a split decision against Chris Honeycutt and a second round TKO finish over Mike Shipman. van Steenis faced John Salter in the main event at Bellator 233 last November but dropped a unanimous decision in his first defeat with the promotion.
A bantamweight meeting between James Gallagher and Cal Ellenor is scheduled to headline the card after falling through twice previously. International rugby star, James Haskell, is also set to make his anticipated MMA debut on the show, which will result in the Bellator product being exposed to a totally new demographic.