UFC champ wants to fight PFL ace Johnny Eblen for the title

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland publicly backed training partner Johnny Eblen, underscoring crossover interest between the UFC and PFL. Strickland, who occasionally works with Eblen at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, highlighted the matchup at PFL Austin on July 18, where Eblen is scheduled to face Impa Kasanganay for the interim PFL middleweight title. In Instagram Stories, Strickland praised Eblen and floated the possibility of a future UFC meeting if circumstances align. Eblen (17-1) owns a recent stoppage win over former UFC fighter Bryan Battle and carries one professional loss to current PFL middleweight champion Costello van Steenis.