Johnny Eblen treated former UFC fighter Bryan Battle like a rag doll before submitting him in the first round of their main event clash at PFL Pittsburgh on Saturday at the UMPC Events Center. 

Immediately after the contest, Eblen (17-1) demanded a shot at revenge against PFL middleweight champion Costello van Steenis, who dramatically handed Eblen his first loss and took his title in the final seconds of their July meeting in South Africa. Last week, the champ made his first defense of his crown with a third-round stoppage of Fabian Edwards at PFL Madrid. 

“I gotta get that belt back,” Eblen said post-fight. 

“Costello, if you’re f***ing watching, I’m coming for you, baby! Revenge! Let’s go — revenge!” 

The debuting Battle (12-3, 1 NC) was sent hurtling through the air on five occasions over the first two minutes of the fray. After giving up three more takedowns, Battle found himself fending off submission attempts before the former Bellator champion locked in a rear-naked choke. 

Eblen gave more insights into his loss to van Steenis in the aftermath of Saturday’s victory, insisting that he shouldn’t have fought on that fateful night. 

“I just had a bad night,” he said of the loss. 

“My corner team, couldn’t make it, they had to corner Dustin Poirier [at UFC 318]. I had an injury. It was in South Africa. It just wasn’t right. It wasn’t a time that I needed to fight. I should’ve pulled out, but you know what? I’m a man, I made a decision and I f***ed up. But now I’m back and this is a part of my story.”

Another man with a big opportunity to impress at middleweight was Pittsburgh’s own Dalton Rosta (11-3). However, instead of entering the title conversation, he entered the shadow realm on the receiving end of a vicious exchange from former PFL light heavyweight tournament champion Impa Kasangany (20-6). 

Rosta exploded out of his corner with a flying knee as soon as the bell rang for the co-main event. Minutes later, his enthusiasm was his downfall, as he ate a potent right hand while chasing down a finish after stunning Kasanganay. 

The official time of the stoppage came at 3:18 of Round 1. 

Speaking after the fight, Kasanganay heaped praise on Rosta and his home support. 

“Pittsburgh, y’all are a crazy crowd, God bless y’all,” he said.  

“I know you were cheering your guy on, I’d expect the same in North Carolina or in Florida. Much respect, way to cheer for your guy. I knew Dalton was going to bring it, he’s an excellent fighter. I know his people are proud of him, I know his city is proud of him. He did nothing wrong here tonight but bring a good fight.” 

“It takes two fighters,” he added. 

Main card 

Johnny Eblen def. Bryan Battle via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:10 of R1

Impa Kasanganay def. Dalton Rosta via KO (punch) at 3:18 of R1

Ariane Lipski da Silva def Sumiko Inaba via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Alexei Pergande def. Julio Arce via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Lazaro Dayron def. Jacob Thrall via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Preliminary Card 

Jack Cartwright def. Allan Begosso via split decision (29-28, 27-29, 29-28)

Natan Schulte def. Jakub Kaszuba via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Dakota Bush def. Robert Watley via KO (punches) at 0:34 of R1

Ernesto Rodriguez def. Masayuki Kikuiri via majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Tatiana Postarnakova def. Elora Dana via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Josh Fremd def. Jarrah Al Salawi via KO (punch) at 3:57 of R3

Fred Dupras def. Ethan Goss via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:46 of R1