What happened: PFL middleweight champion Costello Van Steenis and former titleholder Johnny Eblen exchanged sharp words on The Ariel Helwani Show ahead of their July 18 rematch in Austin, Texas. Eblen vowed to "keep that belt in America," while Van Steenis acknowledged Eblen's standing among the world's best before pushing back. The verbal exchange marks the opening salvo of the rematch promotion.

Why it matters: The rematch is a high-stakes title fight with championship lineage on the line, and trash talk from both camps signals heightened animosity heading into fight week build-up. Van Steenis is coming off a Round 3 KO defense over Edwards in March, giving him momentum, while Eblen is chasing the belt he previously held. The bout headlines PFL's Austin card and is one of the promotion's marquee 2026 matchups.

What to watch: Watch for additional fight-week media appearances and any line movement as the July 18 date approaches. Both fighters' training camps and any weight-cut updates will shape the narrative leading in.