Johnny Eblen scored a huge upset, becoming Bellator middleweight champion with a win over Gegard Mousasi.
The bout headlined Bellator 282 live on Showtime Friday night.
Mousasi, who was seeking his 50th career win, was the heavy favorite entering. That did not deter Eblen, as he swept the scorecards and all five rounds.
“It sounds like what it’s supposed to sound like. During this whole week, I knew this was gonna happen,” Eblen said. “I had doubts, but I worked through them. Now, I’m a champion. The only emotion I felt was when I saw my mom after I won the belt. She hates this sport; she hates that I fight. Yet, she traveled across the country to watch this fight. When I was in the cage, I was more excited, like, ‘Damn, I took this from a legend.’ It sounds right.”
The new middleweight champion improved to 12-0 in his career.
“I expected it. I know a lot of haters and a lot of doubters doubted me and thought I would be finished,” Eblen said. The way I fought, that’s the way I spar. That’s a normal Thursday sparring session. It was just another Thursday sparring session. I hurt him, and I fucking dominated the wrestling and dominated the grappling. It just shuts up the haters and shuts up the doubters. There’s no question I’m the best middleweight in the world.
“He didn’t hit that hard. He had a couple stiff jabs. He landed a good calf kick. But no, I hit way harder than him.
“I’m pretty happy I’m the champion of Bellator, and I plan to keep it that way.”
In the co-main event, Danny Sabatello downed Leandro Higo to advance in the grand prix. Magomed Magomedov did the same, submitting Enrique Barzola.
Bellator 282 Results
C-Johnny Eblen (12-0) defeated Gegard Mousasi (49-8-2) via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
#9-Danny Sabatello (13-1) defeated #6-Leandro Higo (21-6) via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
#4-Magomed Magomedov (19-2) defeated #10-Enrique Barzola (18-6-2) via submission (guillotine) at 1:27 of round four
Brennan Ward (16-6) defeated Kassius Kayne (12-8) via TKO (punches) at 1:11 of round two
Killys Mota (13-3) defeated #9-Dan Moret (15-8) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Lucas Brennan (7-0) defeated Johnny Soto (4-3) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:34 of round one
#8-Alexander Shabliy (22-3) defeated #2-Brent Primus (11-3) via KO (punches) at 1:22 of round two
#2-Cat Zingano (13-4) defeated #6-Pam Sorenson (9-5) via unanimous decision (29-26, 29-27, 29-27)
#5-Anatoly Tokov (31-2) defeated Muhammed Abdullah (11-6) via TKO at 2:28 of round one
#10-Sabah Homasi (17-10) defeated Maycon Mendonca (11-6) via KO (punch) at :58 of round one
Ilara Joanne (10-6) defeated #5-Alejandra Lara (9-6) via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
James Gonzalez (10-5) defeated #9-Cody Law (6-1) via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-26)
Aaron Jeffery (12-3) defeated Fabio Aguiar (18-3) via TKO (knees and punches) at 3:30 of round two
Mandel Nallo (9-2) defeated Bryce Logan (12-7) via TKO (punch) 1:07 of round one
