Johnny Eblen: Impa Kasanganay has only puncher's chance at PFL Austin

Johnny Eblen sees one path to victory for Impa Kasanganay in Saturday's PFL Austin main event, and it involves landing a haymaker early.

The two middleweights rematch for an interim title just over two years after their first meeting, which Eblen took by decision. Kasanganay stepped in when champion Costello van Steenis withdrew from what was supposed to be an undisputed title fight on July 18. Speaking to MMA Fighting ahead of the bout, Eblen dismissed his opponent's chances across three key areas.

"He's not going to beat me by decision. He's not going to outgrapple me. I don't even think he's going to outstrike me," Eblen said. "I think the only thing that he feels like he has an advantage with is that he has power, but I'm not going to get hit like I did last time. I feel like he only has a puncher's chance. And the way you negate that is fighting smart and fighting tactical, and that's what I'm going to do this fight."

Strickland preps Eblen for five-round rematch

Eblen trained at American Top Team with reigning UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who flew to Florida specifically to help prepare him for the five-rounder. Strickland will also work Eblen's corner in Texas. Eblen told MMA Fighting he values the work with high-level peers like Strickland, Dustin Poirier, and Jorge Masvidal more for skill development than brand exposure, though he acknowledged their public support helps reach casual fans.

After stopping Bryan Battle in March, Eblen said he could finish Kasanganay early but plans to fight the rematch like any other title bout — patient and tactical over five rounds. The winner unifies belts against van Steenis, whose withdrawal Eblen questioned. He suggested van Steenis used an injury as cover to avoid fighting him on short notice in the States, noting the champion pushed for an October date instead.

PFL Austin goes down Saturday night with the interim middleweight strap on the line.

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Johnny Eblen: Impa Kasanganay ‘only has a puncher’s chance’ in PFL Austin title fight | MMA Fighting