Eblen promotes PFL event. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/johnnyeblen
If last Saturday (28) was bad for Israel adesanya in the main fight of UFC Seattle, the same does not apply to Johnny EblenIn the main fight of the PFL event held in Pittsburgh (USA), the former Bellator middleweight king (up to 83,9 kg) ignored the hype surrounding the newcomer. BryanBattle, a former UFC fighter, and showed who's boss in the cage, needing only one round to finish him.
A wrestling specialist, Eblen put his expertise into practice, easily and consistently taking down his opponent. With Battle exhausted, the former Bellator and PFL champion continued to pressure him and, after taking him down again in a spectacular fashion, delivered punches and, by applying a tight rear-naked choke, forced him to tap out. In this way, the athlete from the 'American Top Team' academy recovered from his defeat to Costello van Steenis, the first of his career, which occurred in July, and took the opportunity to challenge his conqueror.
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“I need to get the belt back. Costello, if you’re watching, I’m coming for you, baby. Revenge. Come on, I want revenge!”, said the fighter while still in the cage.
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
Brawl in the co-main event
Also in the middleweight division, Impa Kasanganay, a former UFC fighter and one of the 2023 PFL champions, had to show grit to overcome the explosive Dalton Rosta. The fight between the athletes lasted only one round, but it was a true battle.
Powerful, Rosta attacked his opponent with everything he had and rocked him, but as he moved to finish the fight, he received a cross and immediately felt the blow. Even so, the athlete did not back down and ended up being punished. Kasanganay landed two powerful straight punches to his opponent's face and, with him down and unprotected, applied a brutal ground and pound, winning by knockout and sending the crowd at the UPMC Events Center into a frenzy.
FIRST ROUND FIREWORKS 😱
IMPA KASANGANAY DEFEATS DALTON ROSTA IN THE FIRST ROUND 💪#PFLPittsburgh | LIVE NOW ON ESPN 2 | UPMC Events Center | Pittsburgh, PA pic.twitter.com/RtHAFJWqIB
— PFL (@PFLMMA) March 29, 2026
And the Brazilians?
Former UFC fighter, Ariane Lipski She made her PFL debut and ended her three-game losing streak by defeating Sumiko Inaba via unanimous decision. On the other hand, Natan schulte, winner of the company's lightweight tournament (up to 70,3 kg) in 2018 and 2019, had not fought since 2023 and, in his return, was defeated by Jakub Kaszuba also by points.
Newcomer Allan Begosso lost to Jack Cartwright via split decision. Finally, Elora Dana also lost to Tatiana Postarnakova by unanimous decision.
Read More about: Bellator, Eblen, Finishing, Impa Kasanganay, Johnny Eblen, fight, MMA, Knockout, PFL, UFC
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