Johnny Eblen has a new opponent and an interim title on the line for PFL Austin, after Costello van Steenis withdrew from their scheduled rematch due to injury.
Eblen was set to face van Steenis in the July 18 main event at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, but will now meet Impa Kasanganay instead for an interim title.
Reacting to the change, Eblen said, "I don't really care, man," before expanding on his desire to stay busy. "At the end of the day, I want to stay active and he didn't want to fight July, he wanted to push it to later so, it is what it is. He's being a b*tch so, Impa stepped up and I'm looking forward to running it back, fighting for an interim belt, and then after that, doing the unification bout and getting the undisputed PFL title. I guess he got hurt, but from what I heard, I just did an interview, the dude looked at his Instagram, I don't pay attention to him to be honest, like I don't care what they're doing, but he said he was looking into what he's been up to and I guess he's been training."
Eblen also questioned the severity of van Steenis’ injury, saying, "So, whatever injury he had wasn't serious. I think he just wants a little more time because at the end of the day, guys fight injured, but how bad of an injury is it? Is it something you can't train with or fight with? And apparently he's been training so, I think he just didn't want to have a quick turnaround and it didn't work for him, but he signed the contract which is kind of bullsh*t and then he decided to push the fight because he's hurt. I have little injuries all the time that I train with and I fight with. Sean (Strickland) fought with a separated shoulder the week of the fight. Guys aren't 100 percent healthy when show up in the ring."
Eblen brings a 17-1 record into the bout, while Kasanganay sits at 20-6. Eblen owns a split decision win over Kasanganay from PFL vs. Bellator: Champions in February 2024, and is coming off a submission loss to van Steenis at PFL Africa 1 in July 2025.
