PFL Austin Results: Johnny Eblen finishes Impa Kasanganay to claim interim title

Johnny Eblen reclaimed interim championship gold at PFL Austin on Saturday, decisively defeating Impa Kasanganay in their middleweight rematch to capture the interim PFL middleweight title. Unlike their previous close encounter, Eblen's victory was definitive, with the former Bellator champion finishing Kasanganay in the third round.

Eblen established heavy pressure from the opening bell and maintained it throughout. Kasanganay mounted a spirited response in the second round, landing clean overhand rights that temporarily slowed Eblen's advance, but the pressure proved relentless. By the end of the second, Kasanganay was bleeding severely from a facial cut while Eblen, covered in his opponent's blood, continued to drive forward. In the third round, Eblen's sustained pressure finally paid dividends when he landed a devastating elbow that hurt Kasanganay badly, leading to the finish.

Post-fight, Eblen immediately turned his attention to undisputed PFL middleweight champion Costello van Steenis, calling him out directly. Van Steenis was originally scheduled to defend his title against Eblen at the event but withdrew. The two were supposed to rematch at PFL Austin until van Steenis pulled out, and Eblen made his frustration clear in the octagon. Van Steenis then entered the cage, and the two exchanged heated words, many of which were censored by producers, setting up a potentially explosive future matchup between the division's top contenders.