UFC CEO, Dana White, vowed to bring UFC to South Africa back in late 2024 but never pulled the trigger, one of several “missed opportunities” over the last few years.
PFL seemed to have no trouble getting
it done back in July.
Similarly, White and Co. teased a potential UFC card in Spain, headlined by lightweight champion Ilia Topuria
. Once again, a laundry list of excuses started rolling in, making it sound nearly impossible to pull off (like this “terrifying” destination).Maybe White should hire PFL execs to handle his international bookings.
PFL Madrid was made official earlier today for Palacio Vistalegre in Madrid, Spain, on Fri., March 20, 2026. The event will be headlined by middleweight champion and hometown hero Costello “The Spaniard” Van Steenis (17-3), who defends his 185-pound strap against 2025 PFL middleweight tournament champion Fabian “The Assassin” Edwards (16-4).
Van Steenis previously defeated Edwards by split decision at Bellator Milan back in late 2020.
“We are making history by becoming the first global MMA company to host an event in Spain, and we are going to make it an unforgettable evening of elite action at Palacio Vistalegre on Friday, March 20,” said PFL CEO John Martin. “Costello van Steenis had a storybook ending in Cape Town with one of the biggest comebacks in the sport’s history, and his tale continues as he comes to Madrid with the flag of Spain on one shoulder, and the world title on the other.”
“Edwards is also riding a huge wave of momentum, and also had a massive win in his last fight to win the PFL tournament title,” Martin continued. “With these two at the top of the card, we’re going to stack the rest of the evening and put on an event for the ages.”
Expect more PFL Madrid fight card announcements in the coming days.
