Johnny Eblen is the new Bellator middleweight champion.
In a stunning performance, the undefeated 30-year-old outclassed Gegard Mousasi both on the feet and on the ground to sweep the judges’ scorecards and win a lopsided unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) on Friday night in the main event of Bellator 282.
.@JohnnyEblen drops the champ! #Bellator282
We are live on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/VKrXi7abHr
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) June 25, 2022
For Eblen (12-0), the victory was never in doubt. The American middleweight came out with a point to prove, dropping Mousasi (49-8-2) in the opening round with a hard volley of punches and nearly sending the legend home early.
Mousasi survived to the horn, but the momentum never again returned to his favor. Eblen landed takedown after takedown and stuck to Mousasi like glue on the mat. He also pieced Mousasi up with a combination striking attack whenever the action retook the feet, leaving the former two-time champion unable to get out of first gear.
👊 @JohnnyEblen just won't let up on @Mousasi_MMA.#Bellator282 live NOW on @SHOsports
💻 https://t.co/Zg0a3DUrFs pic.twitter.com/WwghHMKv0o— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) June 25, 2022
In a notable twist of fate, it was a similar sight to what played out in April 2010, when one of Eblen’s head coaches at ATT — Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal — shocked the MMA world by using his wrestling to upset Mousasi and steal away the Strikeforce light heavyweight title via decision.
“It feels right. This whole week felt right,” an elated Eblen said as Lawal celebrated. “I didn’t feel like anything was bigger than me. I just like I was in the right place the whole time. This feels right. I don’t know what I’m doing right, but goddamnit, this feels good.”
.@JohnnyEblen drops the champ! #Bellator282
We are live on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/VKrXi7abHr
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) June 25, 2022
Eblen is now 8-0 in the Bellator cage, while Mousasi fell to 7-2 in the promotion.
