Costello van Steenis out of Johnny Eblen rematch at PFL Austin, new opponent booked for interim title bout

Costello van Steenis has been forced to withdraw from his rematch with Johnny Eblen at PFL Austin on July 18, ending what was billed as a heavyweight championship defense in Texas. The PFL announced the change Friday, shuffling the card to keep the middleweight interim title bout alive: Eblen will instead face Impa Kasanganay for a second time, with championship gold on the line.

Van Steenis and Eblen's rivalry intensified after the Dutch fighter's stunning submission comeback victory over Eblen at PFL Africa last July, which handed the American his first professional loss and claimed the middleweight crown. Van Steenis's first title defense came against Fabian Edwards, whom he defeated by third-round knockout. Eblen secured his rematch by dispatching former UFC fighter Bryan Battle in March.

Kasanganay is a proven tournament winner and spoiler who defeated a 205-pound light heavyweight bracket in 2023, earning a $1 million prize after running the table. He dropped to middleweight following PFL's Bellator acquisition and lost a split decision to Eblen in that bout, but has since posted back-to-back wins over Dalton Rosta and Andrew Sanchez.

Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2 now headlines PFL Austin at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The bantamweight co-main event pairs Sergio Pettis against Lewis McGrillen.