PFL finest bets: How Impa Kasanganay can bounce again

A conflict between a previous PFL season champion and a two-time Bellator MMA title challenger headlines the third of 4 2025 PFL World Match first-round struggle playing cards Friday in Orlando, Florida (ESPN/ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET, with prelims on ESPN+ at 5 p.m.).

Impa Kasanganay, who received the 2023 gentle heavyweight season and was a finalist in 2024, takes on Fabian Edwards in one among 4 middleweight bouts. The cardboard at Common Studios additionally options 4 light-weight bouts, together with 2024 champion Gadzhi Rabadanov taking up Marc Diakiese, who will probably be making his PFL debut after stints within the UFC and Bellator.

Listed here are 4 bets I like on the cardboard.

Middleweight: Impa Kasanganay vs. Fabian Edwards

Kasanganay, seeking to bounce again after shedding within the finals final 12 months, takes on a PFL newcomer who ought to give him a enjoyable standup battle. Kasanganay has the sting in wrestling, so if he can keep away from the heavy strikes and put Edwards on his again, this needs to be a win for Kasanganay. An countless gasoline tank ought to assist Kasanganay push the tempo and make it tough for Edwards to maintain up.

Prediction: Kasanganay to win (-150)

Light-weight: Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Marc Diakiese

Rabadanov, starting his bid to grow to be a back-to-back champion, has to lean on his wrestling and take away the kickboxing of Diakiese. In his previous few fights, Diakese has led the best way with wrestling, however these bouts have been in opposition to fellow strikers. Towards Rabadanov, he’s going to wish to maintain the struggle standing, and I believe he’ll battle. I do not count on a end, and with Rabadanov being a -800 favourite to win, I might take him by resolution to get a lot better odds.

Prediction: Rabadanov to win by resolution

Middleweight: Sadibou Sy vs. Dalton Rosta

Sy, the 2022 PFL welterweight champion and a perennial contender, will probably be competing in his third PFL weight class, seeking to be the primary to win titles in two divisions. He has to keep away from the wrestling of Rosta, which is identical problem he faces in virtually all of his fights. On the ft, few are higher strikers than Sy. Over the previous few years, now we have seen an enchancment in Sy’s takedown protection, and if he can climate the early storm from Rosta, we should always see Sy transfer on to the semifinals.

Prediction: Sy to win (-140)

Light-weight: Clay Collard vs. Alfie Davis

Coming off of a disappointing season, fan favourite Collard will look to placed on a present in the principle card opener. His opponent in Davis, a former Bellator fighter, will attempt to take the struggle to the bottom as quickly because the bell rings. I count on Collard to keep away from takedowns early and use his boxing to tire out Davis over the course of three rounds. So long as Collard would not get taken to the mat and held down, he shouldn’t have any situation successful.

Prediction: Collard to win (-140)