Fabian Edwards will fight Austin Vanderford this weekend at Bellator 259. Fabian is the younger brother of UFC welterweight star Leon Edwards.

‘The Assassin’ is a top prospect in Bellator’s middleweight division much like his brother ‘Rocky’ is in the UFC’s welterweight division.

Ahead of the important clash this weekend, we take a detailed look at ‘The Assassin’ and his fighting career. The 28-year-old Brit has a professional record of 9-1. He lost his undefeated status in his last fight against Costello Van Steenis. A split decision was announced against him.

He will look to bounce back to winning ways against Vanderford. But it will a stiff challenge for him as Paige VanZant’s husband is undefeated in his professional career so far. ‘The Gentleman’ will look to build on that when he faces ‘The Assassin’.

Professional career of Fabian Edwards so far

Leon’s brother made his professional debut at Bellator 179 in 2017. He earned a spectacular flying knee finish against Rafal Cejrowski. He had a 9-fight amateur career before turning pro. ‘The Assassin’ was undefeated during that tenure.

After making his pro debut in Bellator, Edwards moved to UK-based promotion BAMMA. He spent a 4-fight stint there earning as many finishes.

He earned 3 submissions and 1 T/KO finish during that period. Edwards returned to Bellator at a Bellator Newcastle event in 2019.

A decision win against Lee Chadwick followed. He fought Portuguese fighter Falco Neto Lopes in a Bellator Birmingham event in his hometown next.

‘The Assassin’ earned a spectacular up-kick finish in that fight. The performance rose his stock further. 2 more decision wins followed for him before suffering his first loss as a professional.

Can Fabian escape the shadow of his brother Leon Edwards?

‘Rocky‘ is a top-level fighter and is a mainstay in the upper echelon of UFC’s welterweight division. It’s good for Fabian to have such cream of the crop fighter with him all the time. But it might also overshadow his own accolades inside the cage.

But if ‘The Assassin’ can further build on his impressive start to his professional career, it might actually play in favor of him that he is related to ‘Rocky’.

A few more impressive performances will certainly attract attention to him. So, bigger opportunities in Bellator or even a call from the UFC might be on the cards for the Brit in the near future.

Can ‘The Assassin‘ get the better of ‘The Gentleman‘ this weekend? Let us know.

READ MORE: Who Is Paige VanZant’s Husband, Austin Vanderford?