Ali Akbar Rosady
The UPMC Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was the epicenter of mixed martial arts action on Saturday night as the Professional Fighters League (PFL) staged a compelling fight card, headlined by the highly anticipated middleweight clash between former Bellator champion Johnny Eblen and promotional newcomer Bryan Battle. The event, broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN+, saw a night of intense competition, with fighters vying for crucial early-season points and asserting their presence in their respective divisions.
In the evening’s marquee bout, Johnny Eblen (17-1), seeking to rebound from his career-first defeat, delivered a comprehensive performance against Bryan Battle (10-3) to secure a unanimous decision victory. The highly touted Eblen, a formidable wrestler known for his relentless pressure and ground control, entered the PFL cage determined to erase the memory of his recent PFL title bout loss to Costello van Steenis. From the opening bell, Eblen showcased his elite grappling pedigree, consistently closing the distance and securing takedowns against the taller, rangier Battle.
The first round saw Eblen immediately engage, pushing Battle against the fence and working for a double-leg takedown. After a minute of positional wrestling, Eblen succeeded, establishing top control and methodically working ground and pound. Battle, making his PFL debut after a successful run in another major organization, defended well from his back, attempting to create scrambles but struggling to escape Eblen’s suffocating pressure. Eblen maintained control for the majority of the round, landing short elbows and punches that, while not fight-ending, accumulated damage and secured the round on the judges’ scorecards.
Round two followed a similar pattern, albeit with Battle showing increased urgency in his striking. Battle, a known finisher with a diverse striking arsenal, attempted to keep Eblen at bay with jabs and low kicks. However, Eblen’s timing on his entries proved superior. Midway through the round, Eblen timed a left hook from Battle, ducking under and driving through for another powerful takedown. This time, Eblen transitioned to half-guard, threatening a kimura before opting for continued ground and pound. Battle managed to briefly scramble to his feet in the final 30 seconds, landing a quick combination, but Eblen quickly clinched and held him against the cage until the bell.
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The third and final round saw Battle come out with renewed aggression, knowing he was likely down on the scorecards. He unleashed a flurry of strikes, connecting with a clean right hand that briefly stunned Eblen. The crowd erupted as Battle pressed forward, sensing an opportunity. Eblen, demonstrating championship composure, weathered the storm, clinching once more and driving Battle back to the fence. Despite Battle’s valiant efforts to defend, Eblen eventually secured a crucial takedown with just over two minutes remaining. From there, Eblen controlled the remainder of the round, preventing Battle from launching any significant offense and effectively sealing his victory. The judges’ scorecards reflected Eblen’s dominant performance, all three scoring the bout 30-27 in his favor. The win marks a significant step for Eblen in his quest for another PFL title shot, demonstrating his resilience and high-level skill set.
The co-main event featured an equally thrilling middleweight contest between Dalton Rosta (8-2) and Impa Kasanganay (12-4). This bout was touted as a clash of styles, with Rosta’s power striking and aggressive approach pitted against Kasanganay’s more versatile and technical game. The fight lived up to its billing, delivering a back-and-forth affair that ultimately saw Impa Kasanganay emerge victorious via split decision.
Rosta started strong, landing several heavy leg kicks and a powerful right hand in the first round that visibly affected Kasanganay. Kasanganay, however, showcased his resilience and superior movement, avoiding Rosta’s haymakers and countering with precision jabs and body shots. In the second round, Kasanganay increased his output, mixing up his combinations and landing a series of crisp straights that began to wear down Rosta. A pivotal moment occurred when Kasanganay secured a late takedown, controlling Rosta for the final minute and potentially swaying the judges. The third round was a close affair, with both fighters exchanging heavy blows. Rosta pushed the pace, but Kasanganay’s defensive footwork and timely counters kept him in the fight. Two judges scored the bout 29-28 for Kasanganay, while one scored it 29-28 for Rosta, highlighting the competitive nature of the contest. Kasanganay’s victory positions him as a strong contender in the middleweight division, while Rosta will need to re-evaluate his strategy moving forward.
The main card, broadcast on ESPN2, also featured several other compelling matchups. In the women’s flyweight division, Ariane Lipski da Silva (17-9) secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over Sumiko Inaba (6-3). Lipski da Silva, known for her striking prowess, showcased improved grappling and control, stifling Inaba’s offense and dictating the pace of the fight across three rounds. All three judges scored the bout 30-27 in favor of Lipski da Silva, signaling a strong start to her PFL campaign.
Further down the main card, Alexei Pergande (11-4) delivered a spectacular performance, stopping Julio Arce (18-7) via second-round TKO in their featherweight bout. Pergande utilized his reach and powerful combinations to keep Arce at a distance, eventually overwhelming him with a barrage of strikes that forced the referee to intervene at 2:15 of the second round. This impressive finish adds significant momentum to Pergande’s PFL run.
Rounding out the main card, Lazaro Dayron (10-2) put on a striking clinic against Jacob Thrall (11-5) in a lightweight encounter, earning a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). Dayron’s crisp boxing and effective use of angles allowed him to consistently outland Thrall throughout the duration of the fight.
The preliminary card, streamed live on ESPN+, set the stage for the main event with a series of high-stakes contests. In a pivotal bantamweight clash, Allan Begosso (9-3) secured a hard-fought split decision victory over Jack Cartwright (11-2), a result that has significant implications for the division’s standings.
Former PFL Lightweight Champion Natan Schulte (24-6-1) demonstrated why he remains a formidable force in the lightweight division, submitting the promising Jakub Kaszuba (11-1) with a rear-naked choke in the second round. Schulte’s veteran experience and grappling acumen proved too much for Kaszuba, handing him his first career loss and sending a clear message to the rest of the lightweight roster.
Other preliminary results included Robert Watley (13-3) defeating Dakota Bush (10-5) via unanimous decision in a lightweight bout, Ernesto Rodriguez (12-4) earning a first-round TKO over Masayuki Kikuiri (8-3) in their welterweight matchup, and Tatiana Postarnakova (6-1) securing a unanimous decision victory against Elora Dana (5-2) in a women’s flyweight contest. Josh Fremd (11-5) bested Jarrah Al Salawi (18-6) via split decision in a competitive middleweight fight, and Ethan Goss (8-3) kicked off the night with a unanimous decision win over Fred Dupras (6-2) in a featherweight opener.
The PFL Pittsburgh event underscored the league’s commitment to high-level competition and its unique season format, where every fight carries significant weight for playoff implications. Fighters now look ahead to their next assignments, with crucial points at stake in their respective divisions as the PFL regular season continues to unfold. The evening’s action provided a mix of tactical masterclasses, explosive finishes, and resilient performances, leaving fans in Pittsburgh and watching worldwide eagerly anticipating the next PFL installment.
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