Tag: Johnny Eblen

Undefeated Bellator Champion Calls Jake Paul Out For MMA Fight With ‘Modified Rules’

It isn’t yet known who Jake Paul will face in his combat sports return following his huge contest with Mike Tyson last month. Given that he’s coming off of a record breaking event, it appears that all bets are off for “The Problem Child” in terms of the opponents that he is capable of drawing […]

It isn’t yet known who Jake Paul will face in his combat sports return following his huge contest with Mike Tyson last month. Given that he’s coming off of a record breaking event, it appears that all bets are off for “The Problem Child” in terms of the opponents that he is capable of drawing in.

Though he has signed to the PFL, there hasn’t been any news in some time regarding Paul’s MMA debut but there has been one name that has been mentioned time and time again. In August last year, he defeated Nate Diaz in a boxing match and has since been trying to get the former UFC fighter to face him in a rematch that would take place in MMA.

Diaz hasn’t showed any interest in doing that because he would prefer to do it in boxing and he doesn’t want to fight in the PFL after being a big part of the UFC for so long. Paul once again called Diaz out at a recent press conference.

“It’s funny that Nate Diaz is actually scared to fight me in MMA, actually. The biggest payday of his life would be me and him in MMA. Yeah, so I’m ready.”

Underneath the clip posted by MMA Fighting on Instagram, one of the top names on the PFL roster called for a modified rules fight with Paul seeing that he can’t get Diaz to step in there with him. Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen has won back-to-back fights this year, improving his overall record to 16-0.

In October, he defeated Fabian Edwards for a second time at Battle of the Giants to successfully defend the 185-pound title for a third time. As seen in this rematch, Eblen’s greatest strength is his wrestling but clearly he would be open to meeting Paul in the middle in terms of the ruleset if that’s something he would be interested in.

Champion Johnny Eblen Calls Out Jake Paul for MMA Fight Under Modified Rules

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake PaulJohnny Eblen, Bellator’s undefeated Middleweight Champion, is targeting none other than Jake Paul. In a bold statement on social…

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake Paul

Johnny Eblen, Bellator’s undefeated Middleweight Champion, is targeting none other than Jake Paul. In a bold statement on social media, Eblen directly challenged ‘The Problem Child’ Paul, the popular social media star and boxer.

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake Paul

In a comment directed at Jake Paul, Johnny Eblen said:

“@jakepaul fight me in MMA with modified rules. We both signed to the @pflmma, why not. Let’s run it.”

johnny eblen vs Jake Paul

The challenge carries weight, as both athletes are currently under contract with the PFL. While Eblen’s MMA credentials are unquestionable, boasting a perfect 16-0 record and a dominant wrestling background, Paul has primarily made waves in boxing. However, Paul’s involvement with PFL suggests he’s open to competing in mixed martial arts.

Johnny Eblen has cemented his status as one of the world’s top middleweights, thanks to his dominant title reign in Bellator. Known for his aggressive and technical style, he has successfully defended his title multiple times since capturing it in 2022.

Jake Paul, 27, has carved a unique path in combat sports. After achieving fame as a social media influencer, he transitioned to professional boxing, amassing an 11-1 record. His fights often spark controversy but draw massive attention, with his latest victory over Mike Tyson in November 2024 generating the largest boxing gate in U.S. history outside Las Vegas.

A potential Eblen-Paul fight would bring together two figures in MMA and boxing. While Eblen has proven himself in the cage, Paul’s willingness to explore MMA, especially under modified rules, could bring even more intrigue to the matchup.

Whether this challenge materializes into an actual bout remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Johnny Eblen isn’t afraid to mix it up. Now, the ball is in Jake Paul’s court.

Conor McGregor Sparks Social Media War with World Champion: “Holding on bum b**ch nobody”

Conor McGregor Sparks Social Media War with World Champion: "Holding on bum b**ch nobody"Conor McGregor may not be doing much fighting inside the cage these days, but he’ll throw some verbal jabs…

Conor McGregor Sparks Social Media War with World Champion: "Holding on bum b**ch nobody"

Conor McGregor may not be doing much fighting inside the cage these days, but he’ll throw some verbal jabs on social media.

‘Mystic Mac’ did exactly that last weekend following Johnny Elblen’s successful defense of the Bellator middleweight title at the PFL’s ‘Battle of the Giants’ pay-per-view in Saudi Arabia. Eblen secured a win over Fabian Edwards in one of the evening’s more anticipated bouts. Unfortunately, the fight failed to live up to any kind of hype as Eblen leaned heavily on his wrestling and grinded out a fairly uneventful unanimous decision.

Conor McGregor

McGregor was immediately critical of the performance which caught the attention of Eblen.

“Conor McGregor went from ‘The face of the fight game’ to ‘The disgrace of the fight game.’ He embodies everything I don’t want to be as a man or as a human. What an embarrassment,” Eblen wrote on X in response to the Irishman’s criticism.

Unsurprisingly, McGregor snapped back telling Eblen that his fight with Edwards was “absolute poo.”

Conor McGregor

“Bro watching your downfall has been poo,” Eblen wrote in another message to McGregor. “You give me second hand embarrassment. You suck the life out of any inspiration you’ve sprung. Money and fame is not what it’s cut out to be eh?”

Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor Tells Johnny Eblen to ‘Suck My balls’

McGregor offered up one more response to Eblen in an attempt to end their back-and-forth.

“Suck my balls thru my drawers bro you are a holding on bum b*tch nobody,” McGregor wrote in a since-deleted post. “Smell ya later.”

Of course, that didn’t stop Eblen from trying to get the last word in.

“Oh no, not the smell ya later,” Eblen replied. “Struck a nerve did I? You TRT, HGH sausage lookin’ ass.”

Conor McGregor

Johnny Eblen kept his undefeated record intact with the win over Edwards, moving to 16-0 in his mixed martial arts career.

Johnny Eblen Blames Conor McGregor for Surge in Retired Fighters Returning After PED Use

Johnny Eblen Blames Conor McGregor for Surge in Retired Fighters Returning After PED UseJohnny Eblen thinks Conor McGregor is responsible for an unsettling trend in the world of MMA. Earlier this month,…

Johnny Eblen Blames Conor McGregor for Surge in Retired Fighters Returning After PED Use

Johnny Eblen thinks Conor McGregor is responsible for an unsettling trend in the world of MMA.

Earlier this month, UFC Hall of Famer Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone announced his plans to come out of retirement for two more fights inside the Octagon, his goal being to reach 50 fights under the Zuffa (WEC and UFC) banner. However, his declaration of intent has been met with very little excitement. In fact, practically everyone is of the opinion that it’s a bad idea, including UFC CEO Dana White.

Following his fight at the PFL ‘Battle of the Giants’ pay-per-view in Riyadh over the weekend, Bellator middleweight titleholder Johnny Eblen expressed his disdain for the idea of a ‘Cowboy’ return and placed blame on McGregor for the recent trend of fighters coming out of retirement after getting juiced up.

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea to retire, take a bunch of steroids, and then come back and fight again,” Eblen said, speaking to the media at the PFL ‘Battle of the Giants’ press conference. “It’s not a good look. I think Conor [McGregor] paved the way, I think he’s influencing a lot of other people to do it, and I think people are trying to fight past their prime and use all these substances and it’s just not natural, it’s not good.

“Your brain doesn’t heal from steroids. So all that CTE just adds up. I’m very against steroids, I’m very against people fighting past their prime.”

Conor McGregor wasn’t as upfront about his alleged PED use as ‘cowboy’ was

While on the red carpet for the UFC 2023 Hall of Fame ceremony, Cerrone was very open about his use of banned substances following his retirement from the sport a year earlier.

“I mean, right now, all the good sh*t after the non-USADA approved sh*t, I feel like I’m f*cking 21 again,” Cerrone told reporters last year on the UFC Hall of Fame red carpet. “You know what I’m saying? I’m telling you, guys — any of you fighters when you’re done, go ahead and get on the TRT and put your wife in a bind because that’s when you’ll feel like an 18-year-old boy again” (h/t MMA Junkie).

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Though Conor McGregor was not nearly as open about his alleged PED use while recovering from the broken leg he suffered against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, ‘Mystic Mac’ certainly didn’t deny using additional substances to help with the healing process.

That on top of the flood of pictures featuring an absolutely jacked McGregor on social media led almost everyone to believe that he was on the juice while out of the USADA testing pool.

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On Saturday, Eblen successfully defended his Bellator middleweight championship against Fabian Edwards for the second time in 13 months. After finishing Edwards via TKO in the third round of their first meeting, the champ needed the full 25 minutes to ensure he walked away with his title intact in Saudi Arabia.

‘Pressure’ is a perfect 16-0 in his MMA career with four submission victories and three by way of KO/TKO.

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‘Belal’d Leon Edwards’ Brother’ – Fans React As Johnny Eblen Retains Bellator Title At PFL Super Fights Event

Johnny Eblen retained the Bellator middleweight title at PFL‘s Battle Of The Giants pay-per-view by beating Fabian Edwards via unanimous decision. The champion was largely dominant throughout the first four rounds, consistently landing his takedowns without landing too much significant damage. Edwards tried to turn the tide in the fifth frame, which was by far […]

Continue Reading ‘Belal’d Leon Edwards’ Brother’ – Fans React As Johnny Eblen Retains Bellator Title At PFL Super Fights Event at MMA News.

Johnny Eblen retained the Bellator middleweight title at PFL‘s Battle Of The Giants pay-per-view by beating Fabian Edwards via unanimous decision.

The champion was largely dominant throughout the first four rounds, consistently landing his takedowns without landing too much significant damage.

Edwards tried to turn the tide in the fifth frame, which was by far his best of the fight as he kept the fight standing and put the pressure on the American, Unfortunately for him, it was too little, too late.

Eblen got the stoppage the first time they met in Dublin, and though he was unable to put Edwards away the second time around, the result wasn’t in doubt at the end of the five rounds in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

MMA Fans React To A Slow, Grueling Bellator Middleweight Title Rematch

MMA fans reacted on social media to the Eblen vs. Edwards rematch that took place as the first of three title fights on the PFL’s second PPV event of the year.

Many were critical of Eblen’s performance despite his dominant victory to retain the title. Others compared it to the manner in which Fabian’s brother, UFC star Leon Edwards, was dethroned by Belal Muhammad in Manchester this past July.

Continue Reading ‘Belal’d Leon Edwards’ Brother’ – Fans React As Johnny Eblen Retains Bellator Title At PFL Super Fights Event at MMA News.

Johnny Eblen remains unbeaten in Bellator title defense against Fabian Edwards

Johnny Eblen PFLWith the Bellator middleweight world title on the line, Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards threw down in a rematch…

Johnny Eblen PFL

With the Bellator middleweight world title on the line, Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards threw down in a rematch featured on the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants. Eblem was looking to remain unbeaten while Edwards was looking to avenge a prior loss.

Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards

Early in round 1, the US-born wrestler Johnny Eblen was looking to establish range using his kicks to the head and body, Fabian Edwards was able to land sharp counters and get back to the center. A massive cross landed from Eblen sending Edwards reeling backwards and the two began to scramble in the clinch.

Half way through round 1, Eblen ducked and ran in for a takedown, picked up Edwards and slammed him three times in a row, and tripped him a fourth. But each time Edwards was able pop back to his feet.

Johnny Eblen Cris Cyborg
Photo By Tim Wheaton

A series of teep kicks from Fabian Edwards seemed to find a home in round 2. A counter rear cross landed on Eblen who then shot for a takedown against smart cage. With half guard locked in, Edwards worked back to his feet just for the US-born wrestler to slam him back down again.  Back on their feet, the Jamaican-English athlete was able to land some impressive flurries including an elbow against the Bellator middleweight champion.

Edwards seemed to find his range in round 3 landing sharp kicks to the leg and body of his opponent, while controlling the lead hand. His work paid off as he landed a sharp rear cross against Eblen to counter the champion’s jab.

Eblen ducked low and was able to secure a takedown half way through the round. After working back to his feet, Edwards for right to work landing kicks on his US-born opponent including a flying knee.

Early in round four, Eblen landed a rear hook that lit up the live audience in Saudi Arabia. Controlling the lead hand, Edwards slammed teep kicks agains the body of his opponent. After ducking under a punch, the US-based athlete secured a takedown and landed a few kneed and his opponent worked back to his feet.

After getting poked in the eye early in the fifth round, Eblen got aggressive landing a head kick and a cross before getting kicked in the groin. After a brief pause, Edwards was spearing with teep kicks to the body while Eblen swung for looking for a knockout. A body punch, to counter the jab, from Edwards seemed to have an effect on Eblen who began backing away. Edwards defended multiple takedown attempts and landed a combination against the unbeaten Eblen. The two middleweights traded elbows in the clinch and Edwards continued to attack the body.

After an exhausting five championship rounds, Johnny Eblen remains unbeaten and defends his Bellator middleweight title with a unanimous decision. 48-47 x3.

Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards Highlights