If you expect a wrestling display from Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen this Saturday, you might want to think again.
Eblen feels confident to strike with challenger Fabian Edwards, the brother of UFC welterweight champ Leon Edwards. Eblen (13-0 MMA, 9-0 BMMA) defends his middleweight crown this Saturday in the main event of Bellator 299 at 3Arena in Dublin. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Eblen (13-0 MMA, 9-0 BMMA) is aware of Edwards’ (12-2 MMA, 8-2 BMMA) strengths but expects domination from himself.
“He’s fast, athletic, good left hand, southpaw, has a good few tricks, tries to set you up with stuff, but he ain’t going to get me, man,” Eblen said at the Bellator 299 media day on Thursday. “I’m too slick, too good. I put too much pressure on people. I break them. I’m going to rearrange his face with my fists. That’s what I’m going to do Saturday night.”
Eblen is obviously known for his wrestling, but he feels confident to stand with Edwards. He’s been training with UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland and Artem Levin, who holds a win over Alex Pereira in kickboxing.
“I’m not worried if it’s a standup matchup,” Eblen said. “During this camp, I got to train with Artem Levin. He’s a six-time world champion kickboxer from Russia. He’s a killer. He actually beat Alex Pereira, and that’s one of my main training partners for this camp, and I stand and bang with him. I stand and bang with Sean Strickland. He’s one of the best in the world, just like me. He’s right now the UFC champion.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 299.
