Overview
- Johnny Eblen defeated Impa Kasanganay by KO/TKO at 2:39 of Round 3 to claim the PFL interim middleweight title on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
- Both main-event fighters made championship weight at the official weigh-ins while Jesus Pinedo missed the featherweight limit by 0.8 pounds and the bout proceeded at catchweight with a purse fine.
- Costello van Steenis, who withdrew from the original rematch due to injury, attended the event and staged a post-fight faceoff with Eblen, making a unification bout the expected next step though dates are not yet set.
- UFC champion Sean Strickland traveled to train with Eblen and was in his corner for the fight, a high-profile support element that drew extra attention to Eblen’s camp and marketability.
- The card aired on ESPN2 with prelims on the ESPN app and featured other notable finishes on the undercard; Eblen’s interim belt both advances his redemption arc after losing to van Steenis in 2025 and sets up a winner-take-all rematch that will determine the undisputed 185-pound champion.