PFL Pittsburgh video: Johnny Eblen mauls Bryan Battle for first-round finish

Johnny Eblen dominated and finished Bryan Battle with ease in the main event of PFL Pittsburgh, which took place Saturday night at the UMPC Events Center. Battle was making his first appearance back in MMA after being released from the UFC after a 7-1 (1 no-contest) octagon run over weight-related issues — and a pair of sub-minute knockouts at Dirty Boxing Championship, but Eblen proved to be in a whole different level with a one-sided performance. A former PFL middleweight champion looking to get back on track after suffering his first career loss to Costello van Steenis in an instant classic in July 2025, Eblen put on a wrestling clinic with five slams in half a round.

The final takedown had Battle flatten on the ground, and Eblen wasted no time taking his back and chasing for the rear-naked choke for the stoppage. Watch the finish below. STATEMENT MADE.

JOHNNY EBLEN WITH THE FIRST ROUND SUBMISSION ON BRYAN BATTLE 🔥 #PFLPittsburgh | LIVE NOW ON ESPN 2 | UPMC Events Center | Pittsburgh, PA pic. twitter. com/xgrWgP5RRk — PFL (@PFLMMA) March 29, 2026 “I gotta get that belt back,” Eblen said after the victory.

“Costello, if you’re fucking watching, I’m fucking coming for you, baby. Revenge. Let’s go, revenge!