PFL Pittsburgh: Eblen vs. Battle Recap: Full Results and Analysis

Report Date: 2026-03-30

1. Eblen Submits Battle in First-Round Main Event

The Professional Fighters League's inaugural event in Pittsburgh was capped off by a masterful and dominant performance from former Bellator Middleweight World Champion, Johnny Eblen. In a highly anticipated main event, Eblen (17-1) dismantled PFL debutant Bryan Battle (12-3), securing a decisive first-round submission victory that emphatically reasserted his position at the apex of the middleweight division.

The fight, which concluded at 4:10 of the first round, was a showcase of Eblen's overwhelming grappling superiority, a skillset honed through a decorated collegiate wrestling career. The outcome fulfilled the pre-fight strategic predictions, including those of Battle himself, who had acknowledged that his path to victory was contingent on keeping the fight standing.

Technical Breakdown of the Submission

The finish was officially recorded as a rear-naked choke (RNC), but the sequence leading to it was a methodical breakdown of Battle's defenses.

1. Initial Takedown and Overwhelming Control: Eblen wasted little time implementing his game plan, securing an early takedown. This set the tone for the entire bout.
2. "Ragdolling" and Relentless Pressure: Whenever Battle attempted to return to his feet, Eblen demonstrated a significant strength and technique advantage. He repeatedly "ragdolled" Battle, lifting and slamming him back to the canvas with authority. This relentless cycle of takedowns—totaling eight in under four minutes—served to drain Battle's energy and break his will.
3. Ground-and-Pound and Positional Advancement: Between the takedown attempts, Eblen maintained suffocating top control, landing effective ground-and-pound and knees to the body. This offensive pressure forced Battle into defensive postures, creating openings for Eblen to advance his position.
4. Securing the Back: Eblen systematically transitioned from dominant ground positions to taking Battle's back. This was not a singular, opportunistic move but the culmination of his sustained pressure, which ultimately forced Battle to expose his back in an attempt to escape the onslaught.
5. Choke Application: Once the back was secured, Eblen expertly locked in the rear-naked choke. With his body triangle controlling Battle's hips and his arm sunk deep under the chin, the tap was a mere formality.

Strategic Analysis and Implications

Bryan Battle's primary strategic failure was his inability to negate Eblen's initial takedown and subsequent ground control. His pre-fight assessment proved prophetic: he stated that if the fight remained standing, he would win, but if Eblen could control him on the mat, the advantage would shift decisively. This acknowledgment highlights a critical gap in his defensive grappling against an elite wrestler.

For Johnny Eblen, this victory was a crucial "bounce-back" performance. It was his first fight since suffering the sole loss of his professional career to Costello van Steenis at PFL Cape Town. In post-fight interviews, Eblen confirmed he executed his game plan perfectly, aiming to make a statement with his superior wrestling and grappling. Pre-fight comments revealed he had been specifically working on techniques for taking the back, a clear indication that the finish was the result of dedicated preparation.

This dominant win immediately positions Eblen for a high-stakes rematch against the current PFL Middleweight World Champion, Costello van Steenis. The narrative of avenging his only loss for the championship title is now the most compelling storyline in the P-FL's middleweight division.

2. Kasanganay Overwhelms Rosta in Co-Main Event

In the co-main event, Impa Kasanganay (20-6) delivered a powerful statement, securing a first-round TKO victory over hometown favorite Dalton Rosta (11-3). The fight, contested at Middleweight (185 lbs), was a significant bout for both fighters, showcasing Kasanganay's resilience and formidable striking power while handing Rosta a devastating setback.

The end came at 3:18 of the first round, after Kasanganay landed a devastating right hook that sent Rosta to the canvas, followed by a flurry of ground-and-pound strikes that forced the referee's intervention.

Fight Dynamics and Finishing Sequence

The bout was a tense striking affair from the outset. In a critical moment early in the round, Rosta connected with a powerful right hand that momentarily buckled Kasanganay. However, Kasanganay, the 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion, demonstrated his veteran composure and durability. He recovered quickly and, in a subsequent exchange, countered Rosta with a clean, powerful right hook of his own. The shot landed flush, dropping Rosta immediately. Kasanganay wasted no time in capitalizing, swarming with precise ground strikes to seal the victory.

The fight was also notable for its "gym war" narrative, pitting Kasanganay's Kill Cliff FC against Rosta's American Top Team (ATT), two of South Florida's most prominent MMA camps. In his post-fight interview, Kasanganay was respectful, acknowledging the Pittsburgh crowd's support for their local fighter and praising Rosta as an excellent competitor.

Divisional and Career Implications

For Impa Kasanganay, this victory is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates his power and viability at middleweight, a division he competed in despite holding his championship pedigree at light heavyweight. This flexibility could open up new championship pathways for him. Secondly, it serves as a strong rebound from his loss in the 2024 PFL Light Heavyweight finals to Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov, proving he remains an elite finisher. Kasanganay's journey, from PFL Challenger Series competitor to PFL World Champion in a single season (2023), is a historic one, and this win adds another impressive chapter.

For Dalton "Hercules" Rosta, the loss is a major blow. It marks his second consecutive knockout defeat, following a head-kick KO loss to Fabian Edwards in the 2025 PFL Middleweight Tournament Finals. For a fighter with a strong wrestling base and undefeated amateur record, two straight stoppage losses due to strikes raise critical questions about his striking defense and durability at the highest level. This result will likely see him fall in the middleweight rankings and forces a significant reassessment of his path forward in the promotion.

3. Undercard Finishes: Speed and Power on Display

The PFL Pittsburgh undercard was punctuated by a series of explosive finishes, highlighting the depth of talent within the promotion. Three fighters, in particular, stood out with stoppage victories that captivated the audience.

Dakota Bush's 34-Second Blitz

Lightweight Dakota "Hairy" Bush (16-4) continued his impressive run since departing the UFC, securing a blistering 34-second TKO over Robert Watley (16-4). The victory extended Bush's winning streak to eight fights and showcased his signature pressure-fighting style.

The finishing sequence was a textbook combination of strategy and power. Bush initiated with a sharp low kick, which served to draw Watley's attention and momentarily compromise his stance. Immediately following the kick, Bush unleashed a fast and powerful right hook that landed cleanly, dropping Watley to the canvas. Bush swarmed with follow-up strikes, forcing a rapid stoppage from the referee.

While not a PFL record—the fastest KO remains Movlid Khaybulaev's 10-second flying knee—Bush's performance was a testament to his propensity for early finishes. This was his fifth first-round victory as a professional. For Watley, the loss was particularly damaging as it snapped a five-fight winning streak and marked his second career TKO defeat.

Josh Fremd's Third-Round Knockout Return

In a compelling middleweight contest, Josh Fremd (11-4) made a successful PFL debut, knocking out Jarrah Al-Silawi (19-6) late in the third round. The official time of the stoppage was 3:57 of Round 3.

The fight was a grueling affair where Fremd consistently held the advantage. He out-landed his opponent significantly in the striking department, connecting with 75 total strikes to Al-Silawi's 28. Fremd also demonstrated a well-rounded game, mixing in three successful takedowns. Despite being ahead on the scorecards, Fremd consciously pushed the pace in the final minutes, determined to secure a finish. The decisive blow came from a brutal counter left hook that caught Al-Silawi advancing, faceplanting him for the walk-off knockout.

This victory was a significant moment of redemption for Fremd. It was his first fight in nearly two years, following his release from the UFC in October 2024 for missing weight. The win validates his move to the PFL and puts the middleweight division on notice. For Al-Silawi, the loss confirmed pre-fight concerns about his durability, as it marked his fifth knockout loss in his last eight fights.

Frederik Dupras's Signature Guillotine

Canadian featherweight and submission specialist Frederik Dupras (10-2) added another finish to his record, securing a first-round technical submission over Ethan Goss at 2:46.

The victory came by way of Dupras's most trusted weapon: the guillotine choke. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Dupras has built a reputation as a relentless finisher, and this fight was no exception. After securing a grappling exchange, he locked onto Goss's neck, applying the choke with immense pressure. The referee deemed Goss unconscious, calling a halt to the contest.

The win improved Dupras's professional record to 10-2, with all ten of his victories coming by way of submission. He has never seen a judges' scorecard in a professional win. However, the victory was not without controversy. Ethan Goss immediately protested the stoppage, claiming he had not lost consciousness and intended to appeal the decision with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission. Regardless of the appeal's outcome, the performance further solidified Dupras's status as one of the most dangerous submission artists in the PFL's featherweight division.

4. Key Decisions and Upsets

While finishes often steal the headlines, PFL Pittsburgh featured several pivotal fights that went the distance, including two significant results that could reshape their respective divisions. An undefeated prospect toppled a two-time champion, and another rising star passed his toughest test to date against a seasoned veteran.

Jakub Kaszuba Dethrones a Legend in Controversial Fashion

In what could be considered the biggest upset of the night, undefeated Polish lightweight Jakub Kaszuba (16-0) earned a unanimous decision victory over two-time PFL Lightweight Champion Natan Schulte (25-6-1). The judges' scorecards read 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28, all in favor of Kaszuba.

The decision, however, was immediately met with debate. While the official judges were unanimous, media scorecards were split, with prominent outlets like Sherdog.com having two of their three scorers awarding the fight 29-28 to Schulte. This discrepancy highlights the close, competitive nature of the bout.

A major storyline entering the fight was Schulte's return from a prolonged layoff of over 1,000 days. The fight's dynamics reflected a clash of styles and conditioning:

• Round 1: Schulte, relying on his world-class judo and grappling, secured takedowns and controlled position for significant portions of the round, even attempting a guillotine choke. However, Kaszuba was far from dormant on the bottom, staying active with strikes and demonstrating strong takedown defense by quickly returning to his feet.
• Round 2: The fight shifted to more striking and clinch exchanges. Kaszuba found success with his dirty boxing, landing frequent uppercuts and body shots. While Schulte maintained pressure against the cage, Kaszuba's higher output and more damaging strikes in close quarters likely won him the round.
• Round 3: Kaszuba's pace and conditioning appeared superior. He controlled the distance with his jab and landed cleaner combinations as Schulte began to visibly tire. Kaszuba's activity and more significant strikes in the final frame sealed the victory on the scorecards.

For Kaszuba, the two-time PFL Europe Champion, this is a career-defining win that launches him into the global PFL lightweight elite. For Schulte, the loss raises questions about the impact of his long absence and his ability to contend with the division's new wave of talent.

Alexei Pergande Passes Veteran Test Against Julio Arce

Undefeated featherweight prospect Alexei Pergande (8-0) kept his perfect record intact with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over UFC veteran Julio Arce (21-7). All three judges scored the contest 29-28 for Pergande.

The fight was described as a "bloody battleground," a testament to the high-paced, back-and-forth action. It featured competitive striking exchanges on the feet and dynamic scrambles on the ground, with neither fighter able to establish complete dominance. The close scorecards reflect a bout where Pergande likely edged out two of the three rounds through superior activity or control in key moments.

This was a critical test for the 24-year-old Pergande. Arce, making his PFL debut after a 6-4 stint in the UFC, represented a significant step up in competition. Known for his technical boxing and strong takedown defense, Arce was expected to challenge the young prospect in every phase of the fight.

Pergande, a product of Kill Cliff FC with an extensive amateur boxing background, rose to the occasion. While his previous PFL victory was a first-round submission, this win proved his ability to grind out a victory against a durable and skilled veteran over fifteen minutes. The performance solidifies his status as one of the PFL's top homegrown talents and positions him as a serious contender for the upcoming featherweight tournament.

5. PFL Pittsburgh: Official Results

Event: PFL Pittsburgh: Eblen vs. Battle Date: March 28, 2026 Venue: UPMC Events Center, Moon Township, Pennsylvania

The following table contains the complete and official results for all 12 bouts contested at the event.

Fight	Winner	Method	Round	Time
Main Event: Middleweight	Johnny Eblen	Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)	1	4:10
Co-Main Event: Middleweight	Impa Kasanganay	KO (Punch and Ground Strikes)	1	3:18
Flyweight	Ariane Lipski da Silva	Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)	3	5:00
Featherweight	Alexei Pergande	Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)	3	5:00
Bantamweight	Lazaro Dayron	Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)	3	5:00
Bantamweight	Jack Cartwright	Split Decision (29-28, 27-29, 29-28)	3	5:00
Lightweight	Jakub Kaszuba	Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)	3	5:00
Lightweight	Dakota Bush	KO (Punch)	1	0:34
Welterweight	Ernesto Rodriguez	Majority Decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)	3	5:00
Flyweight	Tatiana Postarnakova	Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)	3	5:00
Middleweight	Josh Fremd	KO (Punch)	3	3:57
Featherweight	Frederik Dupras	Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke)	1	2:46

Note on Financials and Medicals: As of the date of this report (2026-03-30), specific information regarding post-fight performance bonuses, individual fighter payouts, and medical suspensions issued by the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission has not been publicly released. This information is typically disclosed in the days following an event.