Ever since signing with Bellator in 2019, Johnny Eblen has risen up to become arguably the best Middleweight fighter in the sport today. Eblen, a qualifier for the NCAA tournament in wrestling in 2015, is known for using his abilities to bring pressure to his opponents and dominate fights. Unbeaten at 15-0, Eblen defeated Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 282 to capture the Bellator Middleweight Title. Since then, he’s retained the strap against Anatoly Tokov and Fabian Edwards, as well as coming out on top against Impa Kasanganay in one of the best fights from the PFL vs. Bellator event in February.

 

Fabian Edwards, the younger brother of Leon Edwards, won five amateur titles while going 10-0 on that circuit before his pro debut in 2017. Edwards has gone 9-3 in Bellator and previously challenged Eblen at Bellator 299 last year. Now coming off a win over Aaron Jeffery in a No. 1 contender’s bout in March, Edwards looks to make the most of his second crack at earning Bellator gold.

 

Will Eblen keep his undefeated record and title? Or will Edwards score revenge and the gold?

 

 

Round 1

 

Exchange of low kicks opens the fight, with Eblen landing the better ones. Both men clash with their punches before a return to the low kicks. Right hand and a right high kick from Eblen. Strong high kick from Eblen is blocked. Uppercut catches Eblen coming in. Right hand from Eblen, but Edwards lands a couple of more of those uppercuts. High kick from Eblen is blocked. Left hand lands for Edwards. A pair of left hands from Eblen. Straight right from Eblen. One-two seems to get Edwards off balance. Eblen then presses Edwards into the fence.

 

Edwards works himself off the fence with just over two minutes left and lands a pair of inside leg kicks. Left hand misses for Eblen. High kick from Eblen misses again. Low kick from Edwards. Eblen shoots in for a takedown, slamming Edwards into the canvas, though he gets right back to his feet. Eblen gets behind Edwards and manages to dump him to the ground with just over a minute left. Eblen picks Edwards up and brings him down again. Edwards, however, again gets back to his feet – with Eblen still on his back. Eblen lands a pair of knees to Edwards’s legs before dragging him back to the mat. Short elbow by Eblen. The round ends with Eblen pressing Edwards against the fence.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Low kicks from Edwards. Eblen working with the left jab. Another low kick from Edwards, as Eblen misses an overhand. Both landing with the jab. Left hand from both men. Eblen goes for a combination as he presses Edwards against the fence and scores a takedown. Edwards gets space briefly, but Eblen is relentless and brings him back to the mat. Eblen does a bit of damage from side control, including a short elbow.

 

Edwards looking to create some space, but Eblen is preventing it. Edwards works his way back to the feet, but Edwards quickly returns Edwards to the mat. Edwards works his way back to the feet, still pressed to the fence, but gets free with less than a minute left. Edwards landing low kicks. Eblen landing a couple of straight punches. Front kick misses for Edwards. Low kick from Edwards. Edwards lands an uppercut but misses a right hook. Eblen lands a right hand before the bell.

 

 

Round 3

 

This is the round that Eblen finished off Edwards in their last bout. Low kicks from both men to start off a round again. Both men trade early. High kick from Eblen is blocked. Round kick from Edwards. Edwards works the right jab. Both men throw hooks. Low kick from Edwards. Elben looking to work inside. A bit of a more quiet round in this one. Right hand from Edwards. A couple of kicks landing on the inside by Edwards. Another pair of low kicks from Edwards, who is looking to work Eblen’s body over.

 

Halfway through the round, Eblen shoots in for a takedown again, pressing Edwards into the fence. Despite Edwards’s efforts, Eblen lands that takedown, making him 8-for-8 in attempts. Eblen looks to get to Edwards’s back. Eblen making Edwards ride his weight. Edwards slowly gets to his feet and out of Eblen’s grasp. High kick from Edwards. Small combination by Edwards, before following it up with a flying knee. Right hand from Eblen. Eblen lands an elbow and shoots again. Eblen gets Edwards to the fence, but he is unable to get Edwards to the ground again before the bell.

 

 

Round 4

 

Edwards opening the round with some kicks. Eblen with a right hand, but Edwards is able to counter. Spinning back kick from Eblen. Edwards with a front kick to the body. Right hand by Edwards. Knee on the inside for Eblen. Eblen with a short, sharp combination. Front kick from Edwards. Low kick from both men. Edwards with a pair of counter lefts. Low kick from Edwards, followed by another left hand. Left hand from Edwards. Eblen, however, manages to get another takedown, getting into side control almost right away. Edwards landing a pair of left hands. Edwards getting back to his feet, but Eblen has control of his back and brings him right back down.

 

Eblen riding the back ankle of Edwards, keeping a tight grip on the challenger. Another mat return by Eblen. Eblen with knees to the legs of Edwards as he gets back to his feet. Edwards remains pressed against the fence – and he’s easily brought back down once more. Edwards tries to break the grip, but Eblen has too strong of a hold. Eblen is just repeating this process like it’s clockwork. Edwards finally separates and throws a combination with mere seconds left in round four. The two trade until the bell, and it appears to be trouble for Edwards.

 

 

Round 5

 

Edwards with small leg kicks and jab work. Eblen throws a straight, and Edwards looks to answer – only to end up poking Eblen in the eye. The two go back to trading before another time out due to a push kick that landed on the cup. Low kicks from both men upon resuming. Left hand from Eblen. Low round kick from Edwards. The two exchange, and Edwards finally defends an Eblen takedown attempt. Eblen with a pair of left hands. Edwards looking to work combinations. A pair of left hands and a front kick from Edwards. Front kick from Edwards lands on the body. Knee and a left hand from Edwards. Elben throws a counter. Eblen shoots in, but Edwards stops the takedown again. Right hand from Edwards. Front kick from Edwards. Another front kick to the midsection. High kick from Eblen.

 

 

Edwards stops another takedown attempt. Round kick and a pair of punches from Edwards. Eblen tries again, but Edwards lands a short elbow. A combination from Eblen lands. Both men land, and Edwards is landing a number of elbows inside. Edwards gets Eblen to the fence. Eblen comes forward with a combination. Eblen lands a right hand, but Edwards lands a strong elbow to the head. Edwards working over Eblen with a series of left hands, targeting the midsection. One-two from Edwards. Eblen with a pair of knees up the middle. Front kick and a left hand from Edwards. Right hand by Edwards. Eblen looking to clinch up as they battle in the center. Both men look drained. Eblen presses Edwards into the fence as the bell sounds.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

Johnny Eblen defeats Fabian Edwards by unanimous decision (48-47x3) to remain Bellator Middleweight World Champion

Eblen remains undefeated at 16-0

Eblen defeats Edwards for the second time in a title fight (first time was by 3rd round KO in September 2023)

3rd successful Bellator title defense for Eblen

Eblen also defeated Impa Kasanganay in February 2024 for the PFL Champs vs. Bellator Champs belt