PFL CEO Says Eblen-Van Steenis Rematch Biggest Fight Ever

PFL CEO John Martin has declared the postponed Johnny Eblen vs. Costello van Steenis rematch the biggest fight in the promotion's history.

Speaking in an interview the organization posted to X, Martin described the bad blood between the middleweight rivals and recalled the chaotic cage scene that followed Eblen's interim title win over Impa Kasanganay earlier this summer. Van Steenis climbed into the cage uninvited after the stoppage, setting off a confrontation that had the executive bracing for a brawl. "I got a little nervous," Martin said, per Sherdog. Eblen told him he was going after van Steenis immediately, and Martin replied, "Alright, please, because I'm the one that's going to end up getting hurt in this."

Bad Blood Since July 2025 Submission Loss

The pair first met in July 2025, when van Steenis caught Eblen in a late submission to hand the American the only loss of his career. That defeat led to the interim belt fight and set up the title unification bout, which was later postponed due to injury. Martin made clear the stakes remain sky-high. "That fight, when that happens, that is going to be the biggest fight in the history of the PFL," he said. "Those guys do not like each other."

No new date for the rematch has been announced. Eblen holds the interim middleweight strap while van Steenis remains the undisputed champion.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — PFL CEO calls Eblen-Van Steenis rematch biggest fight in company history