2024 PFL Superfights PPV: Battle of the Giants press convention on the Mayadeen Theater in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Matt Ferris / PFL)
After being scratched from the Bellator London card final month, Bellator MMA middleweight champ Johnny Eblen and challenger Fabian Edwards lastly acquired to run it again as a part of the PFL Battle of the Giants card on Saturday.
Going down on the Kingdom Enviornment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the middleweight title combat was a rematch simply over a 12 months within the making. Eblen had gained the pair’s first assembly, knocking out Edwards within the third spherical. As for Fabian, brother of UFC star and ex-welterweight champ Leon Edwards, he had bounced again with a choice win over Canadian Aaron Jeffery to say a second shot at gold.
Early in spherical one Eblen dictated the vary pressuring Edwards to the fence. An enormous proper hand snuck by Edwards guard, permitting Eblen to right away shoot in on a takedown. Very like the primary combat Eblen showcased his grappling benefit within the first 5 minutes.
Spherical two was additionally managed by Eblen, who walked by the jab and physique kicks of Edwards to get inside on his opponent. Edwards appeared timid at occasions and wasn’t capitalizing when the combat was on the toes. Spherical three and 4 Eblen relentlessly attacked takedowns and dragged the English striker to the ground repeatedly. This may increasingly have gassed out the previous collegiate wrestler who appeared noticeably drained getting into the ultimate spherical.
For the primary time within the matchup, Edwards pressed ahead with a way of urgency. Edwards appeared to really feel the champion fading and combined collectively good mixtures to the physique and head of Eblen. Former UFC welterweight Leon Edwards was screaming within the nook of his brother to proceed urgent ahead, however Eblen survived to see the ultimate bell.
All three judges scored the combat in favor of Eblen (48-47). This was the fourth protection of Eblen’s Bellator Middleweight title, enhancing his report to (16-0).
Official Consequence: Johnny Eblen (c) def Fabian Edwards by unanimous determination (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
