Another of the biggest names of the PFL could soon be able to control his trade in the UFC.
Patchy Mix makes his debut on Saturday at UFC 316, while the former Bellator Bantamweight Champion marks the newest big name that arrives at MMA's largest stage in the PFL.
Mix joined the legendary Patricio Pitbull in calling the PFL for a lack of opportunities, and they were not the only ones frustrated by the situation.
With limited events in 2025 for the top stars so far, many have wondered whether more will make the switch. And it seems that one of the leading hunters of the PFL is not far from the chance of jumping ship.
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Johnny Eeblen reveals that the PFL contract is going in 2026 and the door opens to a UFC movement
Among the Bellator champions that have arrived under the PFL banner in the 2023 acquisition, Johnny Eblen, an undefeated middleweight that is so highly regarded as they come.
Although not as publicly critical as some others, Eeblen has announced his frustration when it comes to inactivity in the PFL.
And although 'Johnny Pressure' is preparing for his return to action during the controversial PFL Cape Town event in July, it seems that the American already has one foot out of the PFL door.
“At the beginning of next year, my contract will expire,” Eeblen said during the Podcast Fight in Sight. “However, it is only that playing. Maybe I fight once, do not fight again, the contract ends, we will see what we do.
“I have defeated this guy (Costello from Steenis), I am not fighting the top five boys in the world, simple and simple. I am a top five -man, top three, I think I am the best. But it sucks when you are there and you can't fight against boys who are arranged for you (or) just below.
“I just want to fight, but the most important thing, I want to fight against the best guys in the world. I want to fight against the (Khamzat) Chimaevs, I want to fight against the (Dricus) du Plessis' … There is no capacity for me to do that with where I am currently.”
Johnny Eblen Branded 'Best Middleweight in the World' above Dricus du Persis and Khamzat Chimaev
On 16-0 and from a dominant Bellator title rule with three successful defenses, Eblen is generally seen as one of the best hunters that compete outside the UFC.
But the coach of Eeblen at the American top team, Mike Brown, keeps the 33-year-old in even higher.
While he spoke with MMA fighting, Brown Koos chose his hunter as the best at 185 pounds above Du Plessis, the current UFC champion, and the next challenger of the South African, Chimaev.
“Johnny Eeblen is the best middleweight in the world,” said Brown. “Today, now, he is the best middleweight in the world. You put him against everyone and he wins, I believe that.
“Striking, conditioning, struggling, struggling … When things get bad in the fight, he finds ways to overcome it. Poor cut? Are startled? Anyway, he finds a way.
“The sport is crazy, everything can happen. But I think this guy is the best middleweight in the world,” Brown added.
After his long -awaited return to Van Steenis on July 19, Eeblen will undoubtedly pay a lot of attention to Du Plessis and Chimaev's Headliner on UFC 319 in August.
Due to the sound of things, some expert negotiations of the PFL would be needed to convince the unbeaten middleweight of the pursuit of people such as 'Stillnocks' and 'Borz' in the Octagon.