Sergio Pettis and Lewis McGrillen added as co-main event in high-profile PFL Austin card
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has confirmed that Johnny Eblen and Impa Kasanganay will headline PFL Austin on 18 July in a bout for the Interim PFL Middleweight World Championship, marking the first interim world title fight in the organisation’s history.
The event, which will take place at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, will air live in the United States on ESPN2 from 8 p.m. ET, with preliminary bouts available via the ESPN app from 5 p.m. ET.
The interim title fight was arranged after reigning PFL Middleweight World Champion Costello van Steenis withdrew from his scheduled title defence against Eblen due to injury. The development has prompted the league to introduce an interim championship contest for the first time since its launch.
Former Bellator Middleweight Champion Johnny “Pressure” Eblen enters the contest with a professional record of 17-1 and is seeking to re-establish himself at the top of the division after an active 12 months in the promotion.
Eblen previously faced van Steenis in the 2025 PFL Middleweight Championship bout but fell short in his bid for the title. However, he returned to winning form in emphatic fashion at PFL Pittsburgh, where he secured a dominant first-round submission victory over Bryan Battle to move back into championship contention.
The Austin main event will also serve as a rematch between Eblen and Kasanganay following their previous meeting during the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions event. On that occasion, Eblen secured a split decision victory in one of the evening’s most closely contested bouts.
Kasanganay, meanwhile, arrives with significant momentum and a growing reputation as one of the PFL’s leading stars. The American fighter captured the 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament Championship and has continued to build his profile within the organisation through a series of high-impact performances.
Now competing once again in his natural weight class, Kasanganay is aiming not only to capture another title but also to avenge his earlier defeat to Eblen. He most recently earned a first-round knockout victory over Dalton Rosta, reinforcing his status as one of the division’s most dangerous finishers.
The co-main event will feature another bout with potential title implications as former Bellator Champion Sergio Pettis takes on 2024 PFL Europe Bantamweight Champion Lewis McGrillen.
Pettis, who holds a professional record of 25-8, has won two of his last three contests and remains one of the most recognisable names in the bantamweight division. McGrillen, meanwhile, enters the contest on a four-fight winning streak and has developed a reputation for aggressive finishes, boasting a 92% finishing rate across his professional career.
The PFL has also announced two preliminary fights for the Austin card.
In the lightweight division, Mexico’s Sergio Cossio will face American fighter Kolton Englund, while the women’s flyweight contest will see Andrea Vazquez of Mexico take on Russia’s Aleksandra Savicheva.
The event forms part of the PFL’s continued efforts to strengthen its position in the global mixed martial arts market, where competition among major promotions has intensified amid rising international demand for combat sports content.
Founded as a league-based MMA organisation, the PFL has differentiated itself through its seasonal format and expanding global footprint. The company stated that its events are now broadcast in more than 170 countries through international media partnerships.
Headquartered in the United States, the organisation has continued to expand operations across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, reflecting the wider commercial growth of mixed martial arts as a mainstream global sports property.
Tickets for PFL Austin are currently available through Ticketmaster, with additional fights expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Updated PFL Austin Main Card
Moody Center – Austin, Texas
18 July | 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
ESPN2 (U.S.)
Interim PFL Middleweight World Championship Main Event
Johnny Eblen (17-1) vs. Impa Kasanganay (20-6)
Bantamweight Co-Main Event
Sergio Pettis (25-8) vs. Lewis McGrillen (12-1)
Preliminary Card
Moody Center – Austin, Texas
18 July | 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT
ESPN APP (U.S.)
Lightweight Bout
Sergio Cossio (27-12-1) vs. Kolton Englund (15-5)
Women’s Flyweight Bout
Andrea Vazquez (8-3) vs. Aleksandra Savicheva (7-2)
“Friendly zombie fanatic. Analyst. Coffee buff. Professional music specialist. Communicator.”
