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3w ago

PFL Sets Interim Middleweight Title After Van Steenis Withdraws

This decision preserves the July 18 Moody Center main event, creating a likely unification path when the champion recovers.

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Overview

  • PFL confirmed Friday that reigning middleweight champion Costello Van Steenis has been pulled from his July 18 rematch with Johnny Eblen because of an undisclosed training injury.
  • Johnny Eblen will now fight Impa Kasanganay for an interim PFL Middleweight World Title headlining PFL Austin at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
  • The updated card keeps Sergio Pettis vs. Lewis McGrillen as the co-main and preserves the event’s ESPN broadcast plans and venue booking.
  • Eblen and Kasanganay first met in 2024 with Eblen winning a controversial split decision, and Kasanganay arrives on form after recent knockout wins that underline his credibility as a replacement and potential spoiler.
  • The interim belt delays Eblen’s direct rematch with Van Steenis — who beat Eblen by late submission in July 2025 — and sets up a probable unification bout once Van Steenis is healthy.