PFL Austin: Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2 Headlines Interim Title Night

PFL Austin: Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2 takes place this Saturday, July 18th 2026, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, with Johnny Eblen and Impa Kasanganay rematching for the vacant Interim PFL Middleweight World Title. The event will also determine who moves on to unify the belt against undisputed champion Costello van Steenis later this year.

Main Event

Johnny Eblen enters as a former Bellator middleweight champion with a 17–1 record and a reputation for relentless pressure and high-level wrestling. He already holds a narrow split-decision win over Kasanganay from their 2024 clash, and this rematch offers him the chance to cement that result and collect PFL gold.

Impa Kasanganay comes in as a former PFL tournament winner with a 20–6 record and a dangerous, well-rounded style. He pushed Eblen to the limit in their first meeting and now gets a second shot, this time with an interim title and a unification fight on the line.

The matchup works because it combines history and consequence. Eblen is trying to prove he is the division’s true number one, while Kasanganay is chasing redemption and the biggest win of his career.

Interim Title Stakes

The interim belt became necessary when reigning champion Costello van Steenis withdrew from a scheduled defense against Eblen due to injury. Rather than stall the division, PFL booked this rematch to keep the middleweight picture moving.

That gives the fight more weight than a typical contender bout. The winner doesn’t just get hardware for the shelf; they lock in a high-profile unification showdown once van Steenis returns.

Supporting Card

The co-main event features Lewis McGrillen against Rafael do Nascimento in a bantamweight bout that serves as a key showcase for both men. McGrillen brings growing hype as an ascending prospect, while do Nascimento has the chance to use a high-visibility spot to elevate his own standing.

Elsewhere on the main card, matchups like Caolan Loughran vs. Julio Arce and Jesus Pinedo vs. Levy Saul Marroquin add experienced names and proven action fighters. Those fights help keep the event from feeling like a one-fight show and give the broadcast steady quality from top to bottom.

The prelims round out the night with prospects and rising talents, including a featured bout for Biaggio Ali Walsh plus several women’s flyweight and additional undercard contests. That structure gives the event a clear build from early fights to the title headliner.

Final Outlook

PFL Austin: Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2 has the look of a pivotal night for the middleweight division. Eblen is fighting to confirm his place at the top and secure a unification date, while Kasanganay is trying to overturn a close loss and seize his own championship moment.

With meaningful stakes, a strong rematch storyline, and a solid supporting card, this interim title event stands out as one of PFL’s most significant non-season shows of 2026.