Johnny Eblen: Costello van Steenis title rematch PFL's 'biggest fight'

Johnny Eblen thinks he's undeniable for a chance to regain the PFL middleweight title after a one-sided showing against Bryan Battle at PFL Pittsburgh. After losing the belt and his undefeated record in a buzzer-beater submission defeat to Costello van Steenis in July, Eblen (17-1) returned to the cage on Saturday and mauled UFC veteran Battle (12-3) into a fight-ending choke . Eblen thought he should've received an immediate rematch with van Steenis after the loss, but the promotion went another direction and pitted the champ against Fabian Edwards earlier this month in Madrid, which he won with a resounding knockout .

Eblen did his part one week later, and now he is adamant it's time to run it back. "I think I totally deserve that rematch," Eblen told reporters backstage at PFL Pittsburgh. "I was a three-year defending champion.

I was winning the fight. I lost in the last few seconds. It was a fight that I probably shouldn't have fought, but you learn lessons and you move on.

I had to get through Bryan Battle, and I made a statement. "It's the rematch you have to make. It's the biggest fight you can make in the PFL right now.