Johnny Eblen and Costello van Steenis went five hard rounds at PFL Africa 1, trading control and momentum with the middleweight title hanging in the balance. It’s the kind of fight that sets the tone heading into the PFL 2025 Finals.

In a wild PFL upset, Costello van Steenis submitted undefeated Johnny Eblen at PFL Africa. A fifth-round rear-naked choke sealed one of the most dramatic comebacks in MMA title history.

Costello van Steenis stuns the MMA world by submitting Johnny Eblen in the final seconds at PFL Africa 1. The dramatic rear-naked choke crowns van Steenis as the new PFL middleweight champion.

PFL Africa 1 is almost here — but first, it’s time to hit the scales. Watch Johnny Eblen, Costello van Steenis, and the rest of the card weigh in and square up in Cape Town. Tensions are high, and nobody’s blinking.

Before Eblen vs Van Steenis headlines PFL Africa 1, follow the fighters in this PFL Origins feature as they prepare for the middleweight title clash in Cape Town.

As Dustin Poirier preps for UFC 318, teammate Johnny Eblen gears up to defend his belt at PFL Africa vs. Costello van Steenis.

PFL Africa lands in Cape Town with Johnny Eblen, AJ McKee, and Dakota Ditcheva in action. Full card streaming on ESPN+ and the PFL App.

Johnny Eblen doesn’t hold back as he sits down with Costello Van Steenis on Coach’s Corner — and neither does Van Steenis. With PFL Africa 1 on the horizon, tension between the middleweight rivals is boiling over.