Johnny Eblen
Johnny Eblen, 32, enters the fight with a perfect professional MMA record of 15 wins and no losses. Fighting out of American Top Team, the 6’3" middleweight champion is known for his relentless pressure and well-rounded skill set. Eblen has secured 6 KO/TKO wins (40%), 1 submission (7%), and 8 decision victories (53%). His versatility in striking and grappling, coupled with his strong wrestling base, makes him a nightmare for opponents to deal with.
In his recent fights, Eblen has showcased his ability to dominate both on the feet and on the ground. He knocked out Fabian Edwards in their first meeting at Bellator 299 in September 2023, finishing the fight in just 21 seconds with brutal elbows and punches. Eblen followed that performance with a hard-fought split decision win against Impa Kasanganay in February 2024 at the PFL Super Fights, solidifying his place at the top of the middleweight division. Eblen’s grinding style, combined with his ability to finish fights, puts him in a strong position heading into this rematch.
Eblen’s undefeated record speaks to his ability to control the pace of a fight and neutralize his opponents’ strengths, but Fabian Edwards will be looking to make adjustments from their previous encounter.
Fabian Edwards
Fabian Edwards, 31, comes into the fight with a professional MMA record of 13 wins and 3 losses. Fighting out of Team Renegade, the 6’1" middleweight has built a reputation for his striking power and finishing ability. Edwards has 4 KO/TKO wins (31%), 3 submissions (23%), and 6 decision victories (46%), making him a well-rounded threat in the division.
Despite his loss to Eblen in September 2023, Edwards bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Aaron Jeffery in March 2024, showing resilience and the ability to make tactical adjustments. Edwards also holds notable victories over former middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi and MMA legend Lyoto Machida, demonstrating his ability to perform at the highest level. However, his three career losses, including one by knockout, highlight potential vulnerabilities, particularly against aggressive fighters like Eblen.
Edwards will be looking to avoid a repeat of his first fight with Eblen, where he was overwhelmed early by Eblen’s pressure. To have success in the rematch, Edwards will need to utilize his striking more effectively while improving his defensive grappling.
Fight Breakdown & Prediction
This rematch will likely hinge on whether Fabian Edwards can make the necessary adjustments to deal with Johnny Eblen’s pressure and wrestling. Eblen’s ability to mix his striking with relentless takedown attempts could once again prove too much for Edwards, especially if he can control the tempo of the fight as he did in their first encounter.
For Edwards to have a chance, he’ll need to keep the fight at a distance and utilize his striking to outpoint Eblen, while avoiding getting taken down or overwhelmed by Eblen’s ground-and-pound. However, given Eblen’s success in their last fight and his recent performances, the champion’s well-rounded game makes him the favorite to retain his title.
Prediction: Johnny Eblen via TKO in Round 3.
