Johnny Eblen (born December 13, 1991) is an American professional

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

who last fought in

Bellator MMA Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) was an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 by Bjorn Rebney and operated until 2025. The promotion takes its name from ''wikt:bellator, bellātor ...

, where he was the last Middleweight World Champion.

Background

Eblen, born to a Korean mother and American father, was a state wrestling champion while at Park Hill High School in Kansas City. He has an older brother, Tommy, who is also a mixed martial artist. Eblen wrestled collegiately at the

University of Missouri The University of Missouri (Mizzou or MU) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Columbia, Missouri, United States. It is Missouri's largest university and the flagship of the four-campus Univers ...

, where he became an NCAA qualifier in 2015 and a two-time Academic All-MAC Team member, posting three 20-win campaigns and compiled an 87–24 career record. His time in college was also marked with injuries, as in the summer prior to college, Eblen suffered a fractured fibula and also tore several ligaments in his ankle, forcing him to redshirt his freshman season. In his sophomore season, Eblen suffered extreme dehydration during a 7-mile run ended up in the ICU for three days, before tearing his meniscus in his knee, less than a month later, requiring another surgery. Before his junior year, he suffered a dislocated shoulder which would eventually lead him his season ending before the start of the MAC Tournament after reinjuring it. In his senior season, he cut down to 174, and was a starter on No.1 ranked Tigers, becoming an NCAA qualifier. After graduation from Missouri in 2015, Eblen relocated to Florida to take a non-MMA related job, working full time at a paving company and coaching wrestling on the side. When he met Steve Mocco, a former Olympic wrestler and American Top Team coach, at a wrestling practice, he was invited to visit ATT to check it out.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Eblen started his professional MMA career under the banner of Shamrock FC, making his debut at Shamrock FC 291, winning the bout against Wayne Collier via TKO in the first round. Eblen would defeat his next two opponents, Raymond Gray and Wayman Carter, via first round stoppages at Shamrock FC 298 and Shamrock FC 308 respectively, before winning what would be his last bout for the promotion at Shamrock FC 310, via a 1-round "Submission from strikes" against Tyler Lee .

Bellator MMA

Eblen made his promotional debut against Chauncey Foxworth on March 22, 2019, at Bellator 218. He won the bout via unanimous decision. In his sophomore performance against Mauricio Alonso on October 4, 2019, at Bellator 229, he won the bout via unanimous decision. Eblen faced Taylor Johnson on October 29, 2020, at Bellator 250, winning the bout via unanimous decision. Picking up his first stoppage victory with the promotion, Eblen knocked out Daniel Madrid in the first round on May 7, 2021, at Bellator 258. As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Eblen faced Travis Davis on July 16, 2021, at Bellator 262. He won the bout via unanimous decision. In his 6th bout with the promotion, Eblen defeated Collin Huckbody on December 3, 2021, at Bellator 272 via first-round TKO stoppage. As the first bout his new six-fight contract, Eblen faced John Salter on March 12, 2022, at Bellator 276. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Bellator Middleweight champion

Eblen faced Gegard Mousasi for the

Bellator Middleweight Championship Bellator MMA (formerly known as "Bellator Fighting Championships") was an American mixed martial arts promotion, and the following is a history of its champions in each weight class. At the time of its inception in 2008, CEO Bjorn Rebney founded ...

Bellator 282 ''Bellator 282: Mousasi vs. Eblen'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on June 24, 2022, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, United States. Background Gegard Mousasi defended his Middleweight ...

on June 24, 2022. He won the bout and the title via a 50-45 unanimous decision on all judges' scorecards. Following this victory, Eblen was ranked as the fourth best middleweight by

Fight Matrix Fight Matrix is a mixed martial arts ranking system portal. It is one of the sport's most recognized ranking websites. Software According to website, "The rankings on this site are software generated, produced by a proprietary engine (CIRRS � ...

and eight by

Sherdog Sherdog is an American website devoted to the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). It also has many forums and discussion pages on the many topics of MMA like records, promotions, etc. The site is a member of the CraveOnline network and provides MM ...

. Eblen made his first title defense against Anatoly Tokov on February 4, 2023, at Bellator 290. He won the bout via unanimous decision. Eblen defended his title against

Fabian Edwards Fabian Edwards (born 24 March 1993) is an English professional mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight (MMA), Middleweight division of the Professional Fighters League. He is the younger brother of Leon Edwards, t ...

on September 23, 2023, at

Bellator 299 ''Bellator 299: Eblen vs. Edwards'' (also known as ''Bellator Dublin'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA, that took place on September 23, 2023, at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. Background The event marked the promotio ...

. He won the fight via knockout in the third round. Eblen faced 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight champion Impa Kasanganay in a three-round non-title crossover fight, on February 24, 2024, at PFL vs. Bellator. He won the closely contested bout vis split decision. Eblen was scheduled to face

in a rematch on September 14, 2024, at Bellator Champions Series 5. On September 3, the bout was rescheduled for a later date with no reason given. The bout was rebooked to take place on October 19, 2024, at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants. Eblen won the fight by unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Bellator Middleweight World Championship (One time; final) ***Three successful title defences ** PFL vs. Bellator Champions of Champions Super Belt (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

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Amateur mixed martial arts record

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References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Eblen, Johnny 1991 births Living people American male mixed martial artists Middleweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling American male sport wrestlers Missouri Tigers wrestlers People from Des Moines, Iowa Bellator male fighters 21st-century American sportsmen