In what might go down as one of the wildest finishes in MMA history, Costello van Steenis shocked the world by submitting the undefeated Johnny Eblen in the closing seconds of their middleweight title fight at PFL Africa.
Eblen came in riding a flawless 16-0 record, widely considered the top middleweight in the world after dominating in Bellator and transitioning smoothly into the PFL. He had already beaten the likes of Gegard Mousasi, Impa Kasanganay, and Fabian Edwards — and it looked like van Steenis was next on the list.
For four and a half rounds, that prediction held. Eblen controlled everything: wrestling, pace, ground damage. Van Steenis showed flashes but couldn’t break through. Then came Round 5. With the clock running out, van Steenis reversed a scramble, took the back, and locked in a rear-naked choke. Eblen didn’t tap — he went out cold with just nine seconds left. It was over.
The crowd exploded. Van Steenis collapsed. In one moment, he became the new PFL Middleweight World Champion — and handed Eblen his first loss in jaw-dropping fashion.
It’s the kind of upset that fuels MMA’s reputation for unpredictability. A dominant champion like Eblen losing in the final seconds to a longtime underdog and friend of Mousasi? That’s the stuff of legend.
This one’s already being mentioned alongside the biggest MMA upsets of all time — and for good reason. Watch the full finish here and relive one of PFL’s most unforgettable moments.
