Johnny Eblen wants to run it back with Costello van Steenis right away.
The middleweight standouts met in a thrilling contest this past Saturday at PFL Africa, where van Steenis outlasted Eblen to score a shocking rear-naked choke submission win with less than 10 seconds remaining in the final round. Van Steenis’ win earned him a PFL title and made him the first fighter to defeat Eblen.
On Monday, Eblen demanded an immediate rematch via social media.
I want a rematch. ASAP.
— Johnny Eblen (@JohnnyEblen) July 21, 2025
“I want a rematch,” Eblen wrote. “ASAP.”
Prior to Saturday’s loss, Eblen was 16-0 as a pro, including three successful defenses of the Bellator middleweight championship (that title has since become the PFL world title following the league’s acquisition of Bellator in 2023).
His title fight with van Steenis was highly competitive, with Eblen utilizing his trademark wrestling to control van Steenis and threaten with submissions, while van Steenis found success in the standup and appeared to be the fresher fighter in the grappling exchanges later in the contest. According to the official scorecards, Eblen was up 39-37 on two of the judges’ cards heading into Round 5, so if he had hung on for the final 10 seconds, he would have won a majority decision.
I find it interesting van steenis doesn’t want to run it back immediately. Champs accept rematches because it validates their claim to the throne. Me making a fatal error doesn’t make you a better fighter, just makes you a lucky one. If you think you’re better, LETS RUN IT!
— Johnny Eblen (@JohnnyEblen) July 22, 2025
“I find it interesting van Steenis doesn’t want to run it back immediately,” Eblen said. “Champs accept rematches because it validates their claim to the throne. Me making a fatal error doesn’t make you a better fighter, just makes you a lucky one. If you think you’re better, let’s run it.”
I was a three-year reigning champion, winning the fight until the very last 10 seconds. If that doesn’t warrant an automatic rematch, idk what does.
— Johnny Eblen (@JohnnyEblen) July 22, 2025
“I was a three-year reigning champion,” Eblen added. “Winning the fight until the very last 10 seconds. If that doesn’t warrant an automatic rematch, [I don’t know] what does.”
Van Steenis (17-3) has been part of the Bellator/PFL organization since 2017, and compiled a 7-2 record with Bellator before scoring a 48-second head kick knockout of Joao Vitor Dantas in his PFL debut to put himself in line to challenge Eblen. He is currently on a three-fight win streak.
He is yet to respond to Eblen’s challenge, but has posted a celebratory message to Instagram.
