With the UFC and other major MMA promotions never holding an event in Spain, the PFL's event at the Palacio Vistalegre represents a landmark moment.

The delay largely comes down to the country not having any MMA world champions to rally behind, but that changed in 2024 when Ilia Topuria won the UFC featherweight title.

UFC president Dana White wanted to capitalise on Topuria's reign by hosting an event in Spain, but the PFL acted first following Van Steenis' success over Johnny Eblen last year for the PFL middleweight belt.

It's a "dream come true" for Van Steenis to be defending his belt in Spain and can already feel the buzz from the capital.

He adds there are more than 6,000 posters in Madrid promoting the Edwards fight, while he's had to turn down multiple interview requests from Spanish media so he "can focus on training".

"I don't know what's bigger - winning the title or going to Madrid," says Van Steenis.

"There's going to be about 10 Spanish people fighting on the PFL card, one of the biggest MMA platforms in the world. In their home country. This opens the gate for MMA in Spain."

Four wins in his last five fights for Fabian Edwards.

Will he make it five in six?

Image source, bbc

It's almost time for the main event...

AJ McKee celebrates as his hand is raised in victory!

The judges score it 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28.

Image source, PFL

To the scorecards we go!

Both men raise their hands at the end of this one, but who will have their hand raised by the referee?

Image source, PFL

I'm sure you're all aware that UFC London takes place from the O2 Arena tomorrow night, with Manchester's Lerone Murphy headlining against Movsar Evloev.

The winner is likely to be the next contender for Alexander Volkanovski's UFC title.

Luke Riley, Mason Jones and Michael 'Venom' Page are among a host of British contenders also in action.

You can follow live text commentary of all the action from 21:00 GMT on Saturday, 21 March on the BBC Sport website and app.

Image source, Getty Images

AJ McKee limps back to his stool as we're about to enter the third and final round against Adam Borics.

Both have been using kicks - McKee has been looking to the thigh, while Borics' calf kicks are causing a good amount of damage.

Image source, PFL

The first of Fabian Edwards' attempts to win a title came against Johnny Eblen for the Bellator middleweight beltin 2023.

American Eblen got the upper hand and stopped the fight with a bit of ground and pound. It was a bitter blow for Edwards, with his brother Leon Edwards also heartbroken as a cornerman.

Has PFL got one over on the UFC?

Despite having Ilia Topuria as one of their leading stars, the UFC has so far failed to travel to Spain, leaving the door open for PFL to sneak in there to host the biggest MMA event to ever take place in Spain.

Over to you, UFC...

Fabian Edwards
PFL middleweight title challenger

I am a better version of myself, I don't even look at that fight as anything. It was six years ago, I have matrured and improved loads. If he [Van Steenis] looks at that fight and thinks anything of it, then he is in for a big shock.

Right then, AJ McKee is in the cage, about to take on Adam Borics.

We won't be going round-for-round with this one but we will bring you updates.

Image source, PFL

If you're a Bellator old-schooler, AJ McKee is a name you know. Hard-core MMA fans will know he was Bellator's premier prospect, their company man who rose from debut to world champion within the company.

McKee is undoubtedly massively talented as a fighter. Creative, bold and stylish, McKee had everything in his locker.

When he was crowned as Bellator featherweight champion in 2021 many thought the then 26-year-old American would embark on a long title reign and go from strength-to-strength.

But defeat in his rematch with Patricio Pitbull was a big shock. Four low-key wins in a row all at lightweight had many thinking McKee might be building back to his best, but a lacklustre display against Paul Hughes in 2024 saw him slump to his second loss.

In truth, McKee has struggled to reclaim the form that once marked him out as a future great. His name has certainly fallen off the lips of many fans. But the PFL is desperate to increase their star stockpile and a win tonight for McKee could see him back in the conversation to fight Usman Nurmagomedov.

He turns 31 next month,

Just as AJ McKee was on top of the world, he was knocked right off it by the Patricio Pitbull.

The Brazilian secured his revenge in their 2022 rematch, reclaiming his title and sending McKee back down to reality.

Lets' rewind to when AJ McKee was the hottest prospect in the world. His ascension to the top was capped off with a destruction of two-weight champion Patricio Pitbull in 2021.

A guillotine choke was required to make Pitbull tap.

Costello van Steenis and his younger brother Gino, already with a victory, are competing on the same card for the first time.

"My dad said if my grandad were still alive, he would be so proud of you guys," said Van Steenis.

"We're living the dream now, but not just me and my brother, it's my whole family. We're all sharing the same dream, work and sacrifices."

Image source, PFL

Image source, PFL

Brit Linton Vassell spoke after his victory: "I know how good I am. Sometimes I just don't show up but today I did. I wanted to show some hands, finish him with ground and pound and I'm glad I dominated him.

"Fair play to Jose Augusto, he stepped in on two weeks notice, hats off to him. Solid, top guy."

When asked who he wants next: "The rematch with Denis [Goltsov], this was originally supposed to be the rematch. Denis beat me two years ago and I have a sour taste in my mouth. I think this fight shows that I am ready. Denis, let's get this fight started!"

Fabian Edwards is not the only Englishman in action as MMA veteran Linton Vassell opened tonight's card in a heavyweight bout against Jose Augusto of Brazil.

The 42-year-old defeated Augusto via TKO in the second round after a long barrage on punches whilst sitting on top of the Brazilian.

"Once he got into that top position, it was just slow progress to the finish," PFL chief Dan Hardy said on commentary.

"A good, steady performance. He didn't take any injuries and he didn't have to show much of his game. He keeps himself right in this heavyweight conversation."

Image source, PFL

Image source, PFL

Image source, PFL

Gino van Steenis did an interview after his victory against Mark Ewen, but unfortunately it was in Spanish - which is not my strong suit.

The one phrase he did say in English is "we need all the energy," encouraging the crowd to support his older brother Costello in this evening's main event.

Can his brother make it 2-0 for the van Steenis family?

Another Van Steenis, you say? That's right; Gino van Steenis, younger brother of Costello, was in action on tonight's prelims in a lightweight bout against Mark Ewen of Scotland - and the night has started perfectly for the Van Steenis clan.

Following a cagey first few minutes, Van Steenis knocked Ewen out with a devastating right hook in the business end of round one.

"That was perfect - and I don't use that word often," PFL chief Dan Hardy said on commentary.

"That was right on the cheekbone, he switched him off in one second. What a beaitful overhand right. You could not write that. It sets the stone for the van Steenis family."

Hopefully older brother Costello was able to catch a glimpse of Gino's knockout backstage.

Image source, PFL

Image source, PFL