Tag: Johnny Eblen

Sean Strickland To Train With Bellator Champion For Dricus Du Plessis Rematch

It is all but official that Sean Strickland will be fighting Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship next. When they last fought in January 2024, DDP won a razor-close split decision to become the new champion. Strickland returned in June 2024 to win yet another split decision, this time against Paulo Costa which […]

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It is all but official that Sean Strickland will be fighting Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship next. When they last fought in January 2024, DDP won a razor-close split decision to become the new champion.

Strickland returned in June 2024 to win yet another split decision, this time against Paulo Costa which he believed to be enough for another title shot. Du Plessis, on the other hand, defended the title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, becoming the first fighter to submit “The Last Stylebender.”

To ensure Strickland doesn’t lose the rematch, Eric Nicksick will rely on a Bellator champion who brings out the best in his fighter…

Sean Strickland’s Coach Trusts Johhny Eblen With Emulating Dricus Du Plessis’ Style In Training

Nicksick recently appeared on the MMAFightingonSBN YouTube channel to discuss his fighters like Francis Ngannou, Strickland, and Daniel Zellhuber. When asked about the former UFC middleweight champion, he admitted that a better game plan could’ve helped him beat “Stillknocks”.

The coach then brought up Johnny Eblen, the reigning Bellator middleweight champion. The undefeated American fighter has defended the belt three times and will rematch Fabian Edwards in the upcoming Saudi Arabia card. After healing up from the fight, Nicksick expects Eblen to join Strickland in training for DDP.

“I’m bringing in Johnny Eblen, for sure. Like, I brought Johhny in, we brought Johnny in for, well, we bring him in all the time but Johnny will fight on the Saudi card so once he gets healed up and ready to come, we’ll have him out here. Johnny brings the best out of Sean, and in styles, I think Johnny can emulate so many different styles for us. He’s another guy I consider a teammate although he’s a, you know, ATT champion. We cross train quite a bit so I’m gonna lean heavy on Johnny Eblen this camp.”

The coach credited Du Plessis for having an unorthodox yet effective fighting style. Although it is hard to copy such a fighter, he believes Eblen to be the best at it. Despite being an American Top Team fighter, he regularly cross-trains at Xtreme Couture.

On top of having the best training partners possible, Nicksick wants to rectify a bunch of errors this time around. He highlighted Strickland’s high dependency on his jab and believes adding more tools to his fighter’s arsenal could be worthwhile.

Continue Reading Sean Strickland To Train With Bellator Champion For Dricus Du Plessis Rematch at MMA News.

Jorge Masvidal Touts Bellator Star As A ‘Future UFC Champion’: ‘He’s On Another Level Right Now’

Jorge Masvidal recently lauded a Bellator champion, declaring that he envisions this fighter as a future titleholder in the UFC. The individual in question is none other than Masvidal’s teammate at American Top Team (ATT), reigning Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen. Eblen launched his professional MMA career under the Shamrock FC banner in July 2017, […]

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Jorge Masvidal recently lauded a Bellator champion, declaring that he envisions this fighter as a future titleholder in the UFC.

The individual in question is none other than Masvidal’s teammate at American Top Team (ATT), reigning Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen.

Eblen launched his professional MMA career under the Shamrock FC banner in July 2017, quickly rising through the ranks. After just four fights, he caught the attention of Bellator MMA, making his promotional debut in March 2019, securing a commanding decision victory over Chauncey Foxworth.

Eblen extended his undefeated streak by dethroning Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 282 in July 2022, capturing the middleweight title in the process. The 32-year-old native is coming off a split decision victory over 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Impa Kasanganay at the highly anticipated PFL vs. Bellator event this past February.

“Gamebred” sees immense potential in Eblen and confidently predicts that he is destined for an even greater future in the sport…

Masvidal Claims Eblen Shines Brighter Than Other Training Partners At ATT

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Masvidal was asked about the fighter who has challenged him the most during training sessions at ATT, as he charts his own MMA comeback. The former BMF titleholder acknowledged that while all his training partners are high-level competitors, Eblen stands out as someone who appears to be in a league of his own.

“Gamebred” expressed his belief that Eblen could eventually make his way to the UFC and has the potential to become a champion in the world’s premier MMA promotion.

“Everybody I shake hands with and train with, they’re all pushing me; they’re all freaking pushing me, man. But I got in some good quality rounds with Johnny,” Masvidal said. “Johnny’s getting ready to scrap, and f**k, he’s like on another level right now; he’s hitting the gas pedal very hard. He’s a real nightmare right now at the gym for everybody he’s going with. I’m never gonna name anyone, but there are a lot of guys Johnny’s going in there with, man, and he’s putting in good work. I think this guy’s going to be a future UFC champion.”

Eblen is preparing to defend his title in a rematch against former rival Fabian Edwards on the main card of PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants, scheduled for October 19 at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Eblen boasts an impressive undefeated record of 15-0, with six of those victories achieved through submissions.

Continue Reading Jorge Masvidal Touts Bellator Star As A ‘Future UFC Champion’: ‘He’s On Another Level Right Now’ at MMA News.

Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards 2 Rescheduled For PFL’s Battle Of The Giants

A huge rematch in Bellator’s middleweight division has been announced as the latest addition to the PFL’s Battle Of The Giants event on October 19. 185-pound champion Johnny Eblen was set to defend his title for a third time in a rematch with Fabian Edwards in London this past weekend. Unfortunately, the bout fell off […]

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A huge rematch in Bellator’s middleweight division has been announced as the latest addition to the PFL’s Battle Of The Giants event on October 19.

185-pound champion Johnny Eblen was set to defend his title for a third time in a rematch with Fabian Edwards in London this past weekend.

Unfortunately, the bout fell off the card with no reason being given, meaning that the latest instalment of the Bellator Champions Series went down without a title fight headliner.

The two men previously met back at Bellator 299 in September last year where Eblen retained the gold via a third round stoppage in Dublin, Ireland.

A win over Aaron Jeffery put Edwards back in the title picture for another chance to bring the Bellator belt back to Birmingham, England.

Eblen, on the other hand, remained undefeated in a tough fight with Impa Kasanganay earlier this year at the PFL vs. Bellator event in February.

As per the official press release, the fight will now take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on the same night as Francis Ngannou’s long awaited return to MMA.

He takes on PFL’s 2023 heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira with Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco serving as the co-main event for the debut of the PFL’s PPV Super Fights division.

Also announced for the card is Bellator star A.J. McKee, who takes on one of the PFL’s most exciting additions in recent times, Irish prospect Paul Hughes who will be facing his toughest test to date.

Read also: Brendan Schaub On UFC Show At ‘Rainforest Cafe’ Sphere: ‘Looks Great But The Product Is Sh*t’

Continue Reading Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards 2 Rescheduled For PFL’s Battle Of The Giants at MMA News.

Johnny Eblen secures split decision over Impa Kasanganay to remain undefeated – PFL vs. Bellator Highlights

Johnny EblenBellator MMA middleweight champion Johnny Eblen kept his undefeated record intact with a closely contested split decision over Impa…

Johnny Eblen

Bellator MMA middleweight champion Johnny Eblen kept his undefeated record intact with a closely contested split decision over Impa Kasanganay at PFL vs. Bellator.

Both fighters came out ready to let their fists fly, but it was Eblen’s wrestling that ultimately made the difference throughout the 15-minute affair. Eblen nearly saw his ‘O’ go after absorbing a flurry of strikes in the opening moments of round two that sent him crashing to the canvas. But again, wrestling bailed Eblen out and allowed him to fully recover en route to a dominant performance in round three.

Official Result: Johnny Eblen def. Impa Kasanganay via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Eblen moved to 15-0 in his mixed martial arts career while the 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament winner fell to 15-4. The loss snapped a six-fight win streak for Kasanganay.

Check Out Highlights From Johnny Eblen vs. Impa Kasanganay at PFL vs. Bellator: 

Johnny Eblen secures split decision over Impa Kasanganay to remain undefeated – PFL vs. Bellator Highlights

Johnny EblenBellator MMA middleweight champion Johnny Eblen kept his undefeated record intact with a closely contested split decision over Impa…

Johnny Eblen

Bellator MMA middleweight champion Johnny Eblen kept his undefeated record intact with a closely contested split decision over Impa Kasanganay at PFL vs. Bellator.

Both fighters came out ready to let their fists fly, but it was Eblen’s wrestling that ultimately made the difference throughout the 15-minute affair. Eblen nearly saw his ‘O’ go after absorbing a flurry of strikes in the opening moments of round two that sent him crashing to the canvas. But again, wrestling bailed Eblen out and allowed him to fully recover en route to a dominant performance in round three.

Official Result: Johnny Eblen def. Impa Kasanganay via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Eblen moved to 15-0 in his mixed martial arts career while the 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament winner fell to 15-4. The loss snapped a six-fight win streak for Kasanganay.

Check Out Highlights From Johnny Eblen vs. Impa Kasanganay at PFL vs. Bellator: 

Johnny Eblen secures split decision over Impa Kasanganay to remain undefeated – PFL vs. Bellator Highlights

Johnny EblenBellator MMA middleweight champion Johnny Eblen kept his undefeated record intact with a closely contested split decision over Impa…

Johnny Eblen

Bellator MMA middleweight champion Johnny Eblen kept his undefeated record intact with a closely contested split decision over Impa Kasanganay at PFL vs. Bellator.

Both fighters came out ready to let their fists fly, but it was Eblen’s wrestling that ultimately made the difference throughout the 15-minute affair. Eblen nearly saw his ‘O’ go after absorbing a flurry of strikes in the opening moments of round two that sent him crashing to the canvas. But again, wrestling bailed Eblen out and allowed him to fully recover en route to a dominant performance in round three.

Official Result: Johnny Eblen def. Impa Kasanganay via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Eblen moved to 15-0 in his mixed martial arts career while the 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament winner fell to 15-4. The loss snapped a six-fight win streak for Kasanganay.

Check Out Highlights From Johnny Eblen vs. Impa Kasanganay at PFL vs. Bellator: