Costello van Steenis wants to bring the PFL to Spain ahead of title fight

Ahead of facing Johnny Eblen (16-0) for the PFL middleweight belt, Costello van Steenis (16-3) wants to make a name for himself with the power of his fists and bring the MMA organization back to Spain.

DAZN News recently spoke with the Spaniard about his ambitions in the organization, alongside his brother and fellow PFL athlete Gino.

DAZN News: Main event at the first PFL Africa card, what that represent for you?

Costello van Steenis: It’s an honour to be one of the first fighters in the world to do something big, to open a PFL card in South Africa. And being the main event on top of that - how cool would that be? It’s special.

DN: What does it mean for you - and for Spanish MMA - to fight for the belt?

CVS: What it means to me is to do something historic. I’m going to be the first Spaniard representing Spain to fight for the PFL title. That’s a huge honor for me. And even more so, after winning it, to bring the PFL to Spain. That would be a dream for me. And together with my brother, fighting at an event in Spain in the future - it’s something incredible. It would be a dream come true.

DN: You’ll face Johnny Eblen, also from Bellator. What do you think of him?

CVS: He’s a very big fighter, a legend. Of course, he’s 16-0, he’s a legendary fighter. And I’m going to be a legendary fighter too. I’m going to destroy a legendary fighter - and it’s unfortunate for him - but for us, it’s going to be Johnny Eblen. We’re going to take that zero away from him.

DN:  Any predictions?

CVS: The prediction is that the fight is going to start very violently and end very violently, finishing with my hand raised.

DN:  He’s undefeated - how do you think you’ll beat him?

CVS: Because I’m going to beat this undefeated guy very violently. And how? With these two weapons (his fists). I’m going to make his life difficult.

DN: Your brother Gino also fights in the PFL. Did you inspire him?

CVS: Yes, I started MMA at a very young age - at 17 - and my brother is six years younger than me, so he wasn’t fighting yet. But I moved to the Netherlands at 20 to fulfill my dream, to become a professional fighter, and to become one of the best in the world. And I’m achieving that now. Why? Because I’m going to fight one of the strongest, biggest fighters in the world. And what could be better than taking the belt from a champion in one of the biggest leagues? And Gino, my brother, thank goodness he also chose MMA, because I can use him a lot, and he can use me a lot for the fight game.

DN: The Van Steenis brothers are in the PFL. Do you train together?

CVS: Yes, we train every day. We live together, we train together. My brother is currently in Spain, with my parents in Spain, with his friends, because he was born there and he’s enjoying life. We have people in the Netherlands, because this country is very boring. And that’s very positive because we don’t have distractions.

DN: Is it possible you might train one day with Ilia Topuria?

CVS: It could happen, it’s just that Ilia is a bit lighter, but it would be awesome. I’d never say no to that. But of course, the weight difference is a bit much, but it would be a pleasure and a dream. That would be awesome, for sure.

DN:  Have you spoken with the PFL about holding an event in Spain?

CVS: Yes, we’re working on that. They told me: “We can bring the PFL to Spain, but you have to do magic.” My mission now is to do magic, take the belt, bring it to Spain, and say: “Let’s bring one of the biggest leagues in the world to Spain. Let’s bring the PFL to Spain.” And if I can build this, if I can work that magic and take the belt, the magic will come to us, and we’ll bring the PFL cage to Spain.

DN: Why can your brother Gino, who’s in the PFL Europe lightweight tournament, win it?

CVS: Because we’re the same blood. We’re two brothers who never give up and who, once we see the goal clearly, go 100% and give everything to fulfill our missions.

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