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Eblen Chokes Out Battle at PFL Pittsburgh, Presses for Van Steenis Rematch

The dominant return strengthens his case to face champion Costello van Steenis next.

Overview

  • Johnny Eblen, who headlined Saturday in Pittsburgh, submitted Bryan Battle with a rear-naked choke at 4:10 of Round 1.
  • Eblen controlled from the opening seconds with repeated high-impact slams, then took the back and forced the tap.
  • After the win he called out champion Costello van Steenis for a rematch, with the titleholder having defended in Madrid one week earlier and no next bout announced.
  • In the co-main event, former PFL season champion Impa Kasanganay knocked out Dalton Rosta at 3:18 of Round 1 to reenter the middleweight title mix.
  • Battle was debuting in PFL after a UFC release tied to multiple weight misses, and the one-sided loss halted his hoped-for reset.