Johnny Eblen wants Sean Strickland bout: ‘We fight each other for free’

Johnny Eblen and Sean Strickland share a unique relationship—competitive friends who train at different gyms yet spar extensively with serious intent. The interim PFL middleweight champion recently indicated he would be willing to defend his belt against Strickland, and Eblen has made clear that their friendship would not prevent him from accepting that challenge.

Eblen (18-1) recently won the interim PFL middleweight title with a third-round knockout of Impa Kasanganay in Austin, Texas. Strickland (31-7), a UFC veteran, had traveled to Florida to assist Eblen's training camp at American Top Team. Despite competing in different organizations and gyms, the two have developed a strong bond, with Strickland frequently campaigning for Eblen to earn a UFC contract.

When discussing a potential matchup, Eblen explained that fighting Strickland would simply formalize what already happens regularly. "I'd be happy to fight him. We fight each other for free," Eblen said. "We're just competitors. Even when we spar, we spar hard. It's not easy rounds, man. We spar with big gloves because we're…" looking to land real damage.

Eblen clarified that their sparring sessions, while intense, are governed by mutual respect—neither fighter seeks a finish if they perceive the other is in genuine trouble. Having wrestled since age four, Eblen is accustomed to competing against training partners. A welterweight title fight headlines PFL Washington DC on Saturday, July 25 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.