PFL Austin predictions: Who’s taking Kasanganay to upset Eblen?

• PFL Austin predictions: Who’s taking Kasanganay to upset Eblen?

Matt Erickson, MMA JunkieSat, Jul 18, 2026·1 min read

The PFL returns this week with a pair of former champions at the top of the lineup. PFL Austin (ESPN2, ESPN+) takes place at Moody Center in Texas.

Get pick results from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well as additional analysis, below.

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Jesus Pinedo vs. Joey Ruquet

• Records: Pinedo (25-8-1), Ruquet (10-4)

• Division: Featherweight

• Odds (as of 07.18.26): Pinedo -1600, Ruquet +900

• Junkie pick results: Pinedo 11, Ruquet 0

Julio Arce vs. Caolan Loughran

Records: Arce (21-7), Loughran (11-3)

Odds (as of 07.18.26): Arce -165, Loughran +140

Junkie pick results: Loughran 7, Arce 4

Lewis McGrillen vs. Rafael Nascimento

Records: McGrillen (12-1), Nascimento (12-2)

Odds (as of 07.18.26): McGrillen -340, Nascimento +265

Junkie pick results: McGrillen 11, Nascimento 0

Johnny Eblen vs. Impa Kasanganay

Records: Eblen (17-1), Kasanganay (20-6)

Rankings: Eblen honorable mention

Odds (as of 07.18.26): Eblen -575, Kasanganay +425

Junkie pick results: Eblen 9, Kasanganay 2

Individual staff member picks, main card

Readers 107-53: Eblen (85%), McGrillen (80%), Loughran (56%), Pinedo (78%)

• Danny Segura 115-48: Eblen, McGrillen, Loughran, Pinedo

• Mike Bohn 107-56: Eblen, McGrillen, Loughran, Marroquin

• Matthew Wells 107-56: Eblen, McGrillen, Loughran, Pinedo

• Nolan King 107-56: Eblen, McGrillen, Arce, Pinedo

• Farah Hannoun 106-57: Eblen, McGrillen, Loughran, Pinedo

• Simon Samano 104-59: Eblen, McGrillen, Loughran, Pinedo

• George Garcia 102-61: Eblen, McGrillen, Arce, Pinedo

• Matt Erickson 102-61: Kasanganay, McGrillen, Arce, Pinedo

• Brian Garcia 101-62: Eblen, McGrillen, Loughran, Pinedo

• Ken Hathaway 101-62: Eblen, McGrillen, Loughran, Pinedo

• Jero Guerra 19-8: Kasanganay, McGrillen, Arce, Pinedo

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: PFL Austin predictions: Who’s taking Kasanganay to upset Eblen?