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PFL Lightweight

Gino van Steenis VS Robert Watley

Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, Florida, U.S.

Tale of the Tape

Gino van Steenis VS Robert Watley
8-2-0 Record 16-5-0
31 Age 36
185 cm Height 175 cm
unknown Stance unknown
50% Finish rate 63%
38% KO rate 38%
13% Sub rate 25%

Result Summary

Gino van Steenis def. Robert Watley Decision (unanimous) · R3 5:00

Gino van Steenis defeated Robert Watley by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) in a three-round lightweight bout on the preliminary card of PFL Tampa: Cyborg vs. Vieira on August 22, 2026. Van Steenis controlled the range throughout, consistently working behind his jab to keep Watley from establishing any sustained offense. Two of the three judges scored it 29-28, with the third going a wider 30-27 in van Steenis's favor. A mouthpiece stoppage late in the second round disrupted Watley's rhythm at a key moment in the fight. The win continues a promising run for the younger brother of PFL middleweight champion Costello van Steenis.

Fight Overview

Dutch Muay Thai specialist Gino van Steenis, younger brother of PFL Middleweight Champion Costello van Steenis, brings his long-range flashy striking and 8-2 record to Tampa against Robert Watley, a seasoned 16-4 veteran who was stopped by Dakota Bush in Pittsburgh and enters looking for a decisive bounce-back. Van Steenis's creative Muay Thai attack and reach advantage make him the more dynamic striker; Watley's experience edge gives him greater tactical depth. Both are competing for divisional relevance in a loaded lightweight picture.

Keys to Victory

Gino van Steenis

  1. Use his long reach and Muay Thai fundamentals to control the fight at range and land the creative combinations that define his best performances.
  2. Stay disciplined and avoid brawling inside, where Watley's veteran experience becomes the bigger weapon.
  3. Walk the line between his aggressive Muay Thai style and the composure needed to prevent Watley from timing his aggressive forward movement.

Robert Watley

  1. Use his 16-4 experience to stay composed when van Steenis's long-range flashy striking creates uncomfortable early moments.
  2. Close the distance and work inside to negate van Steenis's reach advantage and the Muay Thai attacks that work best at longer range.
  3. Deliver a convincing, complete performance to prove the Pittsburgh stoppage was an anomaly rather than a trend.

Last 5 fights

Gino van Steenis

  1. W Mark Ewen KO · R1 2:17 · 20 MAR 2026
  2. L Connor Hughes KO · R1 2:56 · 26 SEPT 2025
  3. W Decky McAleenan Decision · R3 5:00 · 10 MAY 2025
  4. W Paulo da Silva Decision · R5 5:00 · 8 JUN 2024
  5. L Hugo Deux Decision · R3 5:00 · 20 JAN 2024

Robert Watley

  1. L Dakota Bush TKO · R1 0:34 · 28 MAR 2026
  2. W Mads Burnell KO · R3 2:43 · 15 AUG 2025
  3. W Morquez Forest Submission · R4 2:48 · 26 JUL 2024
  4. W Armando Gjetja Submission · R3 2:57 · 15 DEC 2023
  5. W Cedric Gunnison Decision · R4 5:00 · 20 JUL 2023

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AI-generated This analysis was generated with AI and may contain errors.

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