Sean Strickland Pushes for Johnny Eblen’s UFC Move, Calls on PFL to Release Undefeated Champion

Sean Strickland is making a case for one of his most dominant teammates, Johnny Eblen, to join the UFC.

As Strickland gears up for his highly anticipated rematch against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312 on Feb. 8, he’s been vocal about wanting Eblen, the reigning Bellator middleweight champion, to be released from PFL so he can test himself in the Octagon.

Eblen, currently 16-0 in his professional career, first claimed the Bellator middleweight title with a dominant victory over Gegard Mousasi in 2022. Since then, he has defended his belt three times, including a decisive win over Impa Kasanganay in the PFL vs. Bellator “Champion of Champions” event.

With PFL's recent acquisition of Bellator, the future of its champions has been uncertain. While the promotion intends to keep Eblen as a cornerstone of its middleweight division, Strickland believes his teammate belongs in the UFC, where he could face the sport’s best at 185 pounds.

Strickland took to Instagram to directly call out PFL, demanding that they allow Eblen to make the transition to the UFC. His push comes as other top Bellator fighters—Patricio Pitbull and Patchy Mix—have publicly requested their own releases in search of greater opportunities elsewhere.

For now, Strickland remains focused on his rematch with Du Plessis, but if the UFC is looking for another elite middleweight contender, Eblen appears to be the perfect fit.