After being scratched from the Bellator London card last month, Bellator MMA middleweight champ Johnny Eblen and challenger Fabian Edwards finally got to run it back as part of the PFL Battle of the Giants card on Saturday.
Taking place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the middleweight title fight was a rematch just over a year in the making. Eblen had won the pair’s first meeting, knocking out Edwards in the third round. As for Fabian, brother of UFC star and ex-welterweight champ Leon Edwards, he had bounced back with a decision win over Canadian Aaron Jeffery to claim a second shot at gold.
Early in round one Eblen dictated the range pressuring Edwards to the fence. A big right hand snuck through Edwards guard, allowing Eblen to immediately shoot in on a takedown. Much like the first fight Eblen showcased his grappling advantage in the first five minutes.
Round two was also controlled by Eblen, who walked through the jab and body kicks of Edwards to get inside on his opponent. Edwards seemed timid at times and wasn’t capitalizing when the fight was on the feet. Round three and four Eblen relentlessly attacked takedowns and dragged the English striker to the floor repeatedly. This may have gassed out the former collegiate wrestler who looked noticeably tired entering the final round.
For the first time in the matchup, Edwards pressed forward with a sense of urgency. Edwards seemed to feel the champion fading and mixed together good combinations to the body and head of Eblen. Former UFC welterweight Leon Edwards was screaming in the corner of his brother to continue pressing forward, but Eblen survived to see the final bell.
All three judges scored the fight in favor of Eblen (48-47). This was the fourth defense of Eblen’s Bellator Middleweight title, improving his record to (16-0).
Official Result: Johnny Eblen (c) def Fabian Edwards by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
