Bellator 299 will feature a middleweight championship match between reigning titleholder Johnny Eblen and top contender Fabian Edwards this weekend in Dublin, Ireland. The Bellator 299 main card airs live on Showtime.
Bellator 299: Johnny Eblen Discusses Middleweight Standing
For Johnny Eblen, there is no doubt he is self-confident.
Eblen will look to add another title defense to his resume when he puts his middleweight belt on the line at Bellator 299 this weekend against Fabian Edwards. The two headline the card live on Showtime from Dublin, Ireland.
Recently, Sean Strickland became the UFC middleweight champion, besting Israel Adesanya. Eblen was asked where he feels he ranks in the division among all the sports.
“I believe I am one of the best if not the best middleweight in the world,” Eblen said. “I can’t take anything away from Sean Strickland, he’s a great fighter and I have nothing but respect for him. I’m most the consistent champion for now, I just recently got the belt, let’s let history play out and see what happens.
“I’ve had to work hard for things I deserve and I’m going to continue to work hard, I’m still taking flight and I will continue to rise.”
As for his next opponent, Edwards, Eblen has a blueprint to look at in putting a plan together. Edwards is the brother of current UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards.
“His brother is a great fighter, he’s a great fighter but I think I am better,” Eblen said. “He has a few tricks and tries to set yourself up for stuff, but I’m too slick and I’m going to break his face on Saturday night.
“I’m not worried if it’s a standup match up, I stood up with Sean Strickland and he’s one of the best in the world, it does not worry me if it’s a standup match-up.”
Eblen is a member of American Top Team, having moved to the famed training ground after starting out his career in the Midwest.
“ATT is a mecca, the mat space, the cages, the striking area, Dan Lenna and we are consistent, we have consistent fighters and coaches,” Eblen said. “A lot of other gyms don’t have the Mecca ATT does, not to take anything away from them but I think ATT is the best in the world right now. We’re here on a business trip and we’re enjoying every moment.”
