A rematch between Costello van Steenis and Johnny Eblen has been scheduled for July 19 at PFL Austin. The first fight took place in July of last year, when van Steenis won by rear-naked choke in the final moments to become the new champion. Both fighters have established themselves as top contenders in the PFL middleweight division. This rematch will determine whether van Steenis can defend his title or if Eblen can reclaim championship status.
Costello van Steenis and Johnny Eblen are headed for a second meeting, with their PFL middleweight title rematch officially scheduled for July 19 at PFL Austin.
The first bout between the two took place in July of last year, with van Steenis finishing Eblen by rear-naked choke in the final moments to claim the championship. The rematch now puts the title back on the line, with van Steenis looking to defend and Eblen seeking to reclaim what he once held.
Van Steenis, 33, carries a 16-3-0 record into the contest. The Spaniard, known as "The Spaniard," stands six-foot-one with a 77-inch reach and brings active submission pressure to the cage, averaging 1.58 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His ability to find a finish late in the first fight underscored the danger he poses deep into rounds.
Eblen, an American fighter nicknamed "Pressure," enters at 34 years old with a spotless 16-0-0 professional record. He matches van Steenis in height at six-foot-one but works with a slightly shorter 74-inch reach. His striking output stands out sharply, landing 12.3 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy rate of 63.4 percent, figures that reflect the relentless forward pressure his nickname promises.
Why it matters
- Van Steenis won the title in dramatic fashion but now faces a motivated former champion looking for redemption
- Eblen's undefeated record makes this the first loss he must answer, raising the personal stakes considerably
- The contrasting styles — van Steenis' submission threat against Eblen's high-volume striking — sets up a compelling tactical battle at 185 pounds
