Bellator champ Johnny Eblen considers himself, UFC's Sean Strickland top MMA middleweights
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Bellator champion Johnny Eblen dubs himself and former UFC champion Sean Strickland the best middleweights in the world.
Eblen (15-0) defends his title against Fabian Edwards (13-3) in a rematch at Saturday’s PFL: Battle of the Giants main card (DAZN, ESPN+) at The Mayadeen. Eblen is undefeated in his professional MMA career, with his most recent four wins coming over Gegard Mousasi, Anatoly Tokov, Edwards, and Impa Kasanganay. Meanwhile, Strickland has won four of his past five fights, including a title win over Israel Adesanya.
Having trained with Strickland at Xtreme Couture, Eblen spoke highly of the former UFC champ.
“I’m going to have to go with my boy Sean Strickland,” Eblen told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “Every time I go out and train with him in Vegas, it’s tough rounds. He gets me sometimes, and I get him sometimes.
“I think truly we’re the best middleweights in the world. The fact that I get to train with him, and we happen to be in different promotions right now is kind of cool. And that we get to train together, and also we’re both making good money.”
Eblen knocked out Edwards in the third round of their first title meeting in September 2023. The judges were split on the scorecards prior to the knockout, with one judge having Edwards up 2-0, one judge having Eblen up 2-0, and the third judge having it tied 1-1 heading into the third.
This time, Eblen wants to make sure he leaves no doubt that he’s the better fighter.
“I think I dominate every single minute of every single round,” Eblen said. “Whether I get a finish in the first or the fifth, it doesn’t really matter. I’m prepared for everything he’s going to throw at me. I don’t think he’s prepared for everything I’m going to throw at him.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL: Battle of the Giants.