October 16, 2024 3:30 pm ET
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Bellator champion Johnny Eblen dubs himself and former UFC champion Sean Strickland the very best middleweights on the planet.
Eblen (15-0) defends his title in opposition to Fabian Edwards (13-3) in a rematch at Saturday’s PFL: Battle of the Giants predominant card (DAZN, ESPN+) at The Mayadeen. Eblen is undefeated in his skilled MMA profession, together with his most up-to-date 4 wins coming over Gegard Mousasi, Anatoly Tokov, Edwards, and Impa Kasanganay. In the meantime, Strickland has received 4 of his previous 5 fights, together with a title win over Israel Adesanya.
Having skilled with Strickland at Xtreme Couture, Eblen spoke extremely of the previous UFC champ.
“I’m going to should go together with my boy Sean Strickland,” Eblen informed MMA Junkie and different reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “Each time I’m going out and prepare with him in Vegas, it’s powerful rounds. He will get me typically, and I get him typically.
“I feel actually we’re the very best middleweights on the planet. The truth that I get to coach with him, and we occur to be in several promotions proper now’s sort of cool. And that we get to coach collectively, and in addition we’re each making good cash.” Eblen knocked out Edwards within the third spherical of their first title assembly in September 2023. The judges have been break up on the scorecards previous to the knockout, with one decide having Edwards up 2-0, one decide having Eblen up 2-0, and the third decide having it tied 1-1 heading into the third.
This time, Eblen needs to ensure he leaves little question that he’s the higher fighter.
“I feel I dominate each single minute of each single spherical,” Eblen mentioned. “Whether or not I get a end within the first or the fifth, it doesn’t actually matter. I’m ready for all the things he’s going to throw at me. I don’t assume he’s ready for all the things I’m going to throw at him.”
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