Johnny Eblen Dominates Bryan Battle at PFL Pittsburgh

Eblen earns first-round submission win over UFC veteran in Pennsylvania

Mar. 29, 2026 at 8:00am

In the opening bout of the PFL Pittsburgh event, Johnny Eblen made a powerful statement with a first-round submission victory over UFC veteran Bryan Battle. Eblen, a rising star in the middleweight division, quickly took control of the fight and finished Battle in the opening frame.

Why it matters

Eblen's decisive win over the more experienced Battle solidifies his status as a top prospect in the PFL middleweight division. This performance will likely earn Eblen a higher-profile matchup in his next PFL appearance as he continues his climb towards a potential championship opportunity.

The details

Eblen wasted no time in asserting his dominance, immediately taking the fight to Battle and overwhelming him with a relentless grappling attack. After securing an early takedown, Eblen quickly advanced to a dominant position and locked in a submission hold, forcing Battle to tap out just over a minute into the opening round.

  • The PFL Pittsburgh event took place on March 29, 2026 at the UPMC Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The players

Johnny Eblen

A rising middleweight prospect in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) promotion.

Bryan Battle

A veteran fighter who has competed in the UFC and is now part of the PFL roster.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I came in here with a plan and I executed it perfectly. Battle is a tough guy, but I knew I had the tools to finish him early.”

— Johnny Eblen

What’s next

Eblen's dominant win will likely earn him a higher-profile matchup in his next PFL appearance as he continues his climb towards a potential championship opportunity.

The takeaway

Eblen's first-round submission victory over the more experienced Battle solidifies his status as a rising star in the PFL middleweight division and sets him up for bigger challenges ahead.