Dustin Poirier believes that not only will Johnny Eblen win this weekend, but he may never lose his undefeated record.
It’s going to be a busy day across the world for the American Top Team duo on Saturday. Poirier headlines UFC 318 in Louisiana, but a few hours earlier in South Africa Eblen will defend his PFL belt against Costello Van Steenis.
The pair have been preparing together, despite the fact that Poirier is a lightweight and Eblen is a middleweight. And they are backing each other to take their victories back to the Florida facility.
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Dustin Poirier sends glowing message of support to Johnny Eblen
American Top Team is known for having countless world class athletes through their doors, and perhaps nobody is more synonymous with the gym than Dustin Poirier. The former UFC interim champion is one of the sport’s most beloved figures and toughest competitors.
This is evidenced within his training, where he works out alongside fighters much bigger than him, competing at middleweight and above. He has been involved in Johnny Eblen’s camp for Saturday’s PFL Africa event, and had some great compliments to pay him.
“He is going to be on top for a very long time,” Poirier said in an interview as part of PFL’s fight promotion. “I mean, he’s the best he’s ever been.
“He’s still young getting better every training camp, getting better every fight, and he’s in here every day. First one to show up, last one to leave, this guy’s a real student of the game, I’m excited for the guy.”
Johnny Eblen faces stern test in Costello Van Steenis
It’s going to be a difficult night at the office for both Eblen and Poirier on Saturday. The UFC star is competing for Max Holloway’s BMF title, having already defeated his rival twice in the earlier stages of their careers.
However, Eblen takes on an unknown quantity in Van Steenis who has wins over the likes of Fabian Edwards and Joao Vitor Dantas. He won four out of his last five, holds a 75% finish rate, and has never been stopped.
His most recent victory was a head kick KO in 48 seconds on the undercard of last year’s PFL Championships in Saudi Arabia. It’s his first fight for the PFL Champions Series belt since transitioning from the Bellator title earlier this year.