At a Glance
- Johnny Eblen (184.2 lbs) and Impa Kasanganay (183 lbs) made weight for the PFL Austin main event, this Saturday, July 18.
- The fight, originally set against champion Costello van Steenis, was replaced: Eblen faces Kasanganay again, this time for the PFL interim middleweight title.
- Only Jesus Pinedo missed weight (0.8 pounds over) for his fight against Joey Ruquet; a fine on his purse is expected.
- Broadcast live on ESPN2: prelims at 5:30 p.m. ET, main card at 8 p.m. ET.
The Professional Fighters League confirmed its PFL Austin main event this Friday at the official weigh-in. Johnny Eblen and Impa Kasanganay both made weight without issue, at 184.2 and 183 pounds, locking in their clash for the league’s interim middleweight title, Saturday night on ESPN2.
A Replacement Fight for an Interim Title
This main event was not the one originally planned. Johnny Eblen was set to face reigning champion Costello van Steenis for a rematch of their 2025 fight. That fight ultimately will not happen in Austin: Impa Kasanganay was named as the new opponent, with the stakes reset around the interim middleweight title rather than the main belt. It is the second meeting between the two men, their first fight dating back to 2024, at the PFL vs Bellator event.
The creation of this interim title points to a logical next step once Costello van Steenis is available again: a unification bout between the reigning champion and the winner of this PFL Austin main event. With no details shared on the exact reason for the change in opponent for van Steenis, the PFL chose to keep a title on the line for this card rather than turn it into a straightforward rankings bout.
Eblen, a Solid Run Since Joining the PFL
A former Bellator champion, Johnny Eblen (17 wins, 1 loss) holds a record of 3 wins against 1 loss since joining the PFL. His only loss in the league came against current champion Costello van Steenis last year, where he was submitted in the fifth round. He has since bounced back with a submission win over Bryan Battle. Before that setback, Eblen made his PFL debut with a win over this same Impa Kasanganay, before backing it up with a win over Fabian Edwards.
Kasanganay Looking for Revenge
For his part, Impa Kasanganay (20 wins, 6 losses) has stayed busy since his original loss to Eblen two years ago, going 5-2 over that stretch. He notably beat Dalton Rosa and Joshua Silveira, but also lost by knockout to Fabian Edwards and Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov. This new matchup with Eblen gives him a chance to avenge his only PFL loss and claim an interim belt that could put him directly back in the mix for the main title, currently held by van Steenis.
Only One Missed Weight on the Card
Elsewhere on the card, every fighter made weight except Jesus Pinedo, who came in 0.8 pounds over the featherweight limit for his fight against Joey Ruquet. He will be fined a percentage of his purse, paid to his opponent under the league’s usual rules.
For Johnny Eblen, this successful weigh-in marks the first step in an attempt to bounce back after his first PFL loss. The former Bellator champion has not lost since his setback against van Steenis and, with this interim belt, is looking to reclaim control of the middleweight division he ruled before that stumble. On the other side, Impa Kasanganay enters this second meeting with the opposite goal: erase the only loss of his PFL run, against the very man who handed it to him, and claim a title that was not on the line in their first fight.
How to Watch
PFL Austin takes place this Saturday, July 18, broadcast live on ESPN2 in the United States. The prelims start at 5:30 p.m. ET, ahead of the main card at 8 p.m. ET, topped by this clash for the interim middleweight title between Johnny Eblen and Impa Kasanganay.
FAQ
Who is fighting in the main event of PFL Austin?
Johnny Eblen faces Impa Kasanganay for the PFL interim middleweight title, both men making weight this Friday (184.2 lbs and 183 lbs).
Why isn’t this fight between Eblen and the reigning champion?
The fight originally planned between Johnny Eblen and champion Costello van Steenis was replaced by this clash against Impa Kasanganay, set up for the interim title.
Where and when to watch PFL Austin?
The event takes place Saturday, July 18, broadcast on ESPN2, with prelims at 5:30 p.m. ET and the main card at 8 p.m. ET.
