The Pittsburgh event features a strong middleweight main event plus a lightweight return and NCAA wrestling prospect looking to bounce back
The PFL’s first trip to Pittsburgh has its complete fight card set for March 28, and it’s headlined by a middleweight collision between former Bellator champion Johnny Eblen and UFC castoff Bryan Battle. The 12-bout card takes place at UPMC Events Center and streams on ESPN2/ESPN Deportes. Eblen (16-1) brings legitimate championship credentials from his time in Bellator, while Battle (12-2) represents the tier of UFC fighters who didn’t quite stick around long enough to make their mark. It’s not a title fight, but it’s the kind of middleweight matchup that suggests the PFL is serious about building credibility in the division.
The co-main event features Pittsburgh’s own Dalton Rosta (11-2) taking on former PFL season winner Impa Kasanganay (19-6) at 185 pounds. Rosta fighting at home is exactly the kind of matchup promoters love local fighter with something to prove in front of his crowd. Kasanganay brings PFL pedigree as a season winner, which means Rosta is facing legitimate competition. That’s how you build legitimate contenders: give them ranked opposition on their home turf.
The preliminary card reveals the PFL’s depth across multiple weight classes and fighting styles
Three-time NCAA Division-I All-American wrestler Bryce Meredith (7-1) is facing his first professional loss when he takes on former Cage Warriors champion Jack Cartwright (13-2) at bantamweight. That’s a fascinating stylistic matchup the elite wrestler against the seasoned veteran with championship experience. Meredith’s wrestling pedigree suggests he should be able to control the fight, but Cartwright’s experience could be the difference if it goes to the ground or transitions to striking.
Two-time PFL lightweight season winner Natan Schulte (25-5-1) is making his return after three years away from the promotion. That’s a significant gap, and Schulte will be tested immediately against Jakub Kaszuba (15-0), a two-time PFL Europe champion. Kaszuba’s undefeated record and European championship credentials suggest he’s no tune-up fight. Schulte is returning to a promotion where he’s already won twice, but the fighting landscape has evolved in three years. This is a high-stakes return.
What’s strategically interesting about this card is how the PFL is balancing new contenders with returning veterans. Eblen and Battle headline as two fighters hunting for their next opportunity. Rosta and Kasanganay fight for positioning in the middleweight rankings. Meredith is bouncing back from adversity. Schulte is returning from a three-year absence. That’s a card that serves multiple narratives simultaneously.
The UPMC Events Center is a solid venue for a regional PFL event, which suggests the promotion is confident about Pittsburgh’s MMA market. Pittsburgh has traditionally supported combat sports, and the PFL seems to be banking on that support translating to strong ticket sales and viewership. Having Rosta fighting at home definitely helps that equation.
The middleweight division appears to be the PFL’s focus here
With Eblen and Battle headlining and Rosta and Kasanganay in the co-main, the promotion is essentially saying middleweight is where they’re building their brand right now. That makes sense given middleweight’s commercial appeal and the number of elite fighters competing at 185 pounds across multiple promotions.
March 28 in Pittsburgh could be a significant event for the PFL’s competitive positioning. The Schulte return, Meredith rebound, Eblen championship credentials, and Rosta hometown fight all create multiple story lines. That’s exactly how you build a card that appeals to casual fans and hardcore enthusiasts simultaneously.
The PFL is establishing Pittsburgh as a real promotional market, not just a one-off event. That ambition requires quality competition and compelling matchups.
This card delivers both.
