PFL News & FeaturesPFL 2025 World Tournament Dark Horse: Dalton Rosta
One participant who should be considered a real threat to win it all in the Professional Fighters League middleweight bracket may be flying under the radar: Dalton Rosta.
Several underdogs have already prevailed through the first two events in the PFL 2025 World Tournament. Rosta will open his run at 185 pounds when he meets former champion Sadibou Sy in the PFL 2025 World Tournament 3 co-main event this Friday at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. It looks to be one of the more compelling quarterfinal matchups at any weight.
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Rosa last appeared in June, when he took a majority decision from the previously undefeated Norbert Novenyi Jr. at Bellator Champions Series 3. Now, he draws arguably the toughest test of his career in Sy. Rosta suffered his only career defeat to Aaron Jeffery, another tournament entrant, in 2023. They share the same side of the middleweight bracket, meaning a semifinal rematch could be in their not-too-distant future.
The PFL’s move from a regular-season points format to a tournament setup could wind up being beneficial for Rosta, who has proven unafraid to go the distance and often overwhelms his opposition. Five of his nine wins have come by decision, but he also owns four other victories by knockout or technical knockout. It shows he possesses dangerous fight-finishing power when given an opening.
In being matched with Sy, Rosta draws not only a former PFL champion but a martial artist eager to return to his optimal weight class. Rosta built himself into a staple of the Bellator MMA middleweight division and now must confront one of the most accomplished competitors the PFL has to offer and a man hungry for another piece of promotional gold.
Rosa made it clear in a recent interview with Sherdog.com that he has placed his focus on taking his game to the next level. He believes the tournament format suits him better since it allows him to pursue opponents on his own terms instead of looking for a specific time or finish. That mindset figures to serve Rosta well moving forward.
Most view middleweight as one of the strongest and most intriguing brackets that the PFL has planned, with familiar names across the board. There are no gimmes. Rosta and Sy sets up as a classic clash of styles, with the former known for his high-intensity wrestling and the latter recognized for his powerful striking. Getting past Sy represents the first of what Rosta hopes will be three steps to a PFL championship. He has already proven himself as a frontline talent and now can cement himself as one of the best in the world at 185 pounds.
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