2025 PFL Cape Town | MMA Picks and Betting Odds July 19, 2025

PFL Cape Town Betting Preview, Picks and Predictions

MMA WagerTalk handicapper Andy Lang gives his 2025 PFL Cape Town picks for July 19 with Johnny Ellen vs Costello van Steenis headlining in the main event. The main card starts up at 2:00pm ET from Grandwest Arena in Cape Town, South Africa!

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2025 PFL Cape Town Betting Information

Saturday, July 19	2025 PFL Cape Town (Courtesy of Caesars)
Main Event:	Johnny Eblen -670 vs Costello van Steenis +430
Rounds:	N/A
Fight Time:	Main Card Starts at 2:00pm ET / 11:00am PT
Arena:	Grandwest Arena in Cape Town, South Africa
TV:	ESPN+

2025 PFL Cape Town Predictions

Dakota Ditcheva -1800 vs Sumiko Inaba +800

Dakota Ditcheva enters this fight as a massive favorite for good reason—her speed, precision, and knockout power have overwhelmed every opponent she’s faced in the PFL.

With whispers of her wanting out of her PFL contract, expect Ditcheva to make a statement here and boost her value with another highlight-reel finish.

Sumiko Inaba is the last remaining woman in the division Ditcheva hasn’t faced, and this matchup feels like a showcase.

Inaba’s best chance is to lean on her wrestling, but Ditcheva’s takedown defense and striking superiority should shut that down quickly. Barring a miracle, Ditcheva by first-round KO looks like the most likely outcome.

AJ McKee -245 vs Akhmed Magomedov +186

Don’t let the name fool you—this isn’t your typical dominant Magomedov. Akhmed has solid skills, but his striking is limited and not nearly as polished or dangerous as other Dagestani fighters with the same surname.

AJ McKee should have a clear edge in speed, athleticism, and striking variety. He’s explosive, creative, and has shown elite submission ability when fights hit the mat.

If McKee avoids getting tied up in a grindy wrestling match, his dynamic offense should give Magomedov problems throughout. This line may look steep, but stylistically it favors McKee, who has the tools to win convincingly.

Makkasharip Zaynukov -620 vs Takeshi Izumi +400

This is a classic fade spot against a late-career RIZIN import. Takeshi Izumi enters at 36 years old with only nine pro fights—a red flag at this level—and faces a tough stylistic matchup in Zaynukov.

While neither fighter is known for finishing, Zaynukov has a strong top game and should be able to control the action on the ground for large stretches of this fight.

Izumi’s lack of pace and experience on bigger stages only adds to the concern. Don’t expect fireworks, but Zaynukov by dominant decision feels like the most likely outcome.

Denis Goltsov -186 vs Corey Anderson +144

This line feels short given Denis Goltsov’s finishing ability and well-rounded skill set. He’s riding a streak of seven straight wins by finish, and he’s just as dangerous on the feet as he is on the ground.

Corey Anderson brings solid wrestling, but his style is methodical, low-output, and he’s shown signs of fading late in fights. If Anderson can’t control position for long stretches, he’s going to be in trouble.

Goltsov has multiple paths to victory and can capitalize on any lapse in activity or cardio. The value here is on Goltsov inside the distance—he’s the more dangerous fighter and has the tools to end this at any point.

2025 PFL Cape Town Main Event: Johnny Eblen vs Costello van Steenis

Johnny Eblen’s relentless pressure and elite cardio make him a nightmare in five-round fights, and this matchup plays perfectly into his style.

While van Steenis is a solid, skilled fighter with legitimate finishing ability, his résumé is padded with weaker competition, and his recent losses to aging vets like Douglas Lima and John Salter raise red flags at this level.

Unless van Steenis finds a finish early—which is a tall task against Eblen’s durability and pace—this fight should tilt heavily in Eblen’s favor as it progresses. Expect Eblen to take over with pressure, takedowns, and volume en route to a late finish or dominant decision.

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