The stakes have never been higher in the PFL middleweight division. On Saturday, July 18, 2026, champion Costello van Steenis (18-3) will step into the cage at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, to defend his title against the man he dethroned—No. 1-ranked Johnny Eblen (17-1). This isn't just any fight; it's a championship rematch that fans have been craving since their last bout ended in jaw-dropping fashion.
For those who missed it the first time, imagine this: Eblen was seconds away from victory in the inaugural PFL middleweight title fight at PFL South Africa in summer 2025. He had controlled the action for nearly five full rounds, looking every bit the champion. Then, in the final moments of the fifth round, van Steenis pulled off the unthinkable—a rear-naked choke that snatched the title and handed Eblen the first loss of his professional career. It was the kind of finish that leaves a room silent, then erupting.
"This is the fight that fans have been asking for since the moment Costello secured the rear-naked choke in the final seconds of their first world championship fight," said PFL CEO John Martin. "There were a lot of opinions about how that fight ended, and both fighters have something to prove. Now we have a massive rematch with everything on the line: validation for The Spaniard, or redemption for Pressure. I can't wait to see how it plays out on July 18."
Van Steenis, known as "The Spaniard," isn't hiding his hunger for this rematch. "I wanted this rematch with Eblen from the moment the first fight ended," he said. "There's still a lot being said about that first result, and I'm looking forward to proving, definitively, that I'm the better fighter on July 18."
Eblen, nicknamed "Pressure," will be looking to reclaim his spot at the top and silence any doubts about that stunning finish. With both men holding elite records and a bitter score to settle, this main event promises fireworks from the opening bell.
The PFL Austin main card will air live on ESPN2 starting at 8 p.m. ET, with prelims kicking off at 5 p.m. ET on the ESPN app. Tickets are available now through pre-sale, and more bouts are expected to be announced soon. Whether you're rooting for the champion's validation or the challenger's redemption, this is one fight you won't want to miss.