October 16, 2024 3:30 pm ET
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Bellator champion Johnny Eblen dubs himself and former UFC champion Sean Strickland one of the best middleweights on this 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 major 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 must go together with my boy Sean Strickland,” Eblen advised MMA Junkie and different reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “Each time I am going out and practice with him in Vegas, it’s powerful rounds. He will get me typically, and I get him typically.
“I believe really we’re one of the best middleweights on this planet. The truth that I get to coach with him, and we occur to be in numerous promotions proper now’s sort of cool. And that we get to coach collectively, and likewise we’re each making good cash.” Eblen knocked out Edwards within the third spherical of their first title assembly in September 2023. The judges had been cut 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 desires to verify he leaves little doubt that he’s the higher fighter.
“I believe 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 every part he’s going to throw at me. I don’t assume he’s ready for every part I’m going to throw at him.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for PFL: Battle of the Giants.
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