Johnny Eblen dominates Bryan Battle with first‑round finish at PFL Pittsburgh. The Professional Fighters League (PFL) made a big statement in Pittsburgh on March 28, 2026, staging a high‑energy event at the UPMC Events Center with standout finishes and decisive action throughout the card.
The night was capped by a dominant performance from Johnny Eblen, who overwhelmed Bryan Battle to score a first‑round submission victory in the main event that has fans buzzing about his title hopes.
Eblen, a former Bellator middleweight world champion, entered the fight looking to rebound after his first career loss to Costello van Steenis in July 2025. By contrast, Battle was making his PFL debut after signing with the league following his UFC release.
In the night’s headliner, Eblen wasted no time imposing his wrestling dominance. From the opening bell, he pressed forward and used relentless scrambling and strength to control the action.
Within the first few minutes, Eblen executed multiple powerful slams and kept Battle on his heels. As Battle struggled to find space, Eblen transitioned to the back and locked in a rear‑naked choke, forcing a tap and sealing the victory in Round 1 at 4:10. The finish marked an emphatic return to form for the former world titleholder and put him in prime position for another run at championship gold.
“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!”
The action didn’t stop with the main event, the co‑main bout also delivered explosive results as Impa Kasanganay turned in a first‑round KO victory over hometown favorite Dalton Rosta, thrilling the Pittsburgh crowd and reasserting himself as a top middleweight contender.
Eblen’s dominant showing serves notice in the middleweight division that he’s back in title contention and looking to avenge his only career loss. With his first‑round finish and a confident post‑fight challenge aimed at Costello van Steenis, Eblen has reignited his championship trajectory in the PFL.
Check out PFL Pittsburgh results below.
Main Card
Johnny Eblen def. Bryan Battle via submission (rear-naked choke) — Round 1, 4:10
Impa Kasanganay def. Dalton Rosta via knockout — Round 1, 3:18
Ariane Lipski da Silva vs. Sumiko Inaba via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Alexei Pergande def. Julio Arce via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Lazaro Dayron def. Jacob Thrall via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Prelims
Jack Cartwright def. Allan Begosso via split decision (29-28, 27-29, 29-28)
Natan Schulte def. Jakub Kaszuba via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Dakota Bush def. Robert Watley via KO — Round 1, 0:34
Ernesto Rodriguez def. Masayuki Kikuiri via majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Tatiana Postarnakova def. Elora Dana via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Josh Fremd def. Jarrah Al Salawi via KO — Round 3, 3:57
Fred Dupras def. Ethan Goss via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1, 2:46
