PFL Pittsburgh results: Johnny Eblen rag-dolls Bryan Battle, vows 'revenge' for Costello van Steenis loss
The debuting Battle was sent hurtling through the air on five occasions over the first two minutes, before succumbing to the fight-ending rear-naked choke.
Johnny Eblen treated former UFC fighter Bryan Battle like a rag doll before submitting him in the first round of their main event clash at PFL Pittsburgh on Saturday at the UMPC Events Center. Immediately after the contest, Eblen (17-1) demanded a shot at revenge against PFL middleweight champion Costello van Steenis, who dramatically handed Eblen his first loss and took his title in the final seconds of their July meeting in South Africa. Last week, the champ made his first defense of his crown with a third-round stoppage of Fabian Edwards at PFL Madrid.
“I gotta get that belt back,” Eblen said post-fight. “Costello, if you’re f***ing watching, I’m coming for you, baby! Revenge!
Let’s go — revenge! ” 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 REDEMPTION FOR EBLEN Johnny Eblen takes the W and calls out a familiar face 👀 #PFLPittsburgh | LIVE NOW ON ESPN 2 | UPMC Events Center | Pittsburgh, PA pic. twitter.