Johnny Eblen
Johnny Eblen (born December 13, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently signed to Bellator MMA, where he is the current Bellator Middleweight Champion.
| Johnny Eblen | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 13, 1991 Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. |
| Other names | Johnny Pressure |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) |
| Division | Middleweight |
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) |
| Style | Wrestling |
| Fighting out of | Coconut Creek, Florida |
| Team | American Top Team (2016–present)[1] |
| Wrestling | NCAA Division I Wrestling |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 15 |
| Wins | 15 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 8 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Amateur record | |
| Total | 3 |
| Wins | 3 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Other information | |
| University | University of Missouri |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background edit
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.[1] Eblen wrestled collegiately at the University of Missouri, where he became a 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 less than a month after he tore his meniscus in his left knee, requiring another surgery. Before his junior year, he suffered a dislocated right 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 a NCAA qualifier.[2][3][4][5][6]
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.[7][8]
Mixed martial arts career edit
Early career edit
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 .[9]
Bellator MMA edit
Eblen made his promotional debut against Chauncey Foxworth on March 22, 2019, at Bellator 218.[10] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[11]
In his sophomore performance against Mauricio Alonso on October 4, 2019, at Bellator 229,[12] he won the bout via unanimous decision.[13]
Eblen faced Taylor Johnson on October 29, 2020, at Bellator 250,[14] winning the bout via unanimous decision.[15]
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.[16]
As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Eblen faced Travis Davis on July 16, 2021, at Bellator 262.[17][18] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[19]
In his 6th bout with the promotion, Eblen defeated Collin Huckbody on December 3, 2021, at Bellator 272 via first round TKO stoppage.[20]
As the first bout his new six-fight contract, Eblen faced John Salter on March 12, 2022, at Bellator 276.[21][22] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[23]
Bellator Middleweight champion edit
Eblen faced Gegard Mousasi for the Bellator Middleweight Championship at Bellator 282 on June 24, 2022.[24] He won the bout and the title via a 50-45 unanimous decision on all judges' scorecards.[25] Following this victory, Eblen was ranked as the fourth best middleweight by Fight Matrix and eight by Sherdog.[26][27]
Eblen made his first title defense against Anatoly Tokov on February 4, 2023, at Bellator 290.[28] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[29]
Eblen defended his title against Fabian Edwards on September 23, 2023, at Bellator 299.[30] He won the fight via knockout in the third round.[31]
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.[32] He won the closely contested bout vis split decision.[33][34]
Championships and accomplishments edit
Mixed martial arts edit
- Bellator MMA
- Bellator Middleweight World Championship (One time; current)
- Two Successful Title Defences
- PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions Super Belt (One time)
- Bellator Middleweight World Championship (One time; current)
Mixed martial arts record edit
| 15 matches | 15 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 8 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 15–0 | Impa Kasanganay | Decision (split) | PFL vs. Bellator | February 24, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | For "PFL Champion vs. Bellator Champion" Super Belt. |
| Win | 14–0 | Fabian Edwards | KO (punches) | Bellator 299 | September 23, 2023 | 3 | 0:21 | Dublin, Ireland | Defended the Bellator Middleweight World Championship. |
| Win | 13–0 | Anatoly Tokov | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 290 | February 4, 2023 | 5 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | Defended the Bellator Middleweight World Championship. |
| Win | 12–0 | Gegard Mousasi | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 282 | June 24, 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Won the Bellator Middleweight World Championship. |
| Win | 11–0 | John Salter | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 276 | March 12, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 10–0 | Collin Huckbody | TKO (punches) | Bellator 272 | December 3, 2021 | 1 | 1:11 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 9–0 | Travis Davis | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 262 | July 16, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Daniel Madrid | KO (punches) | Bellator 258 | May 7, 2021 | 1 | 2:44 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Taylor Johnson | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 250 | October 29, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Mauricio Alonso | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 229 | October 4, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Temecula, California, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Chauncey Foxworth | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 218 | March 22, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Tyler Lee | TKO (submission to punches) | Shamrock FC 310 | October 13, 2018 | 1 | 2:14 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Wayman Carter | Submission (guillotine choke) | Shamrock FC 308 | August 18, 2018 | 1 | 1:37 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Raymond Gray | TKO (submission to punches) | Shamrock FC 298 | November 18, 2017 | 1 | 2:21 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Wayne Collier | TKO (submission to punches) | Shamrock FC 291 | July 7, 2017 | 1 | 1:01 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States |
Amateur mixed martial arts record edit
| Amateur record breakdown | ||
| 3 matches | 3 wins | 0 losses |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 3–0 | Gustavo Trujillo | Decision (unanimous) | XFN 12: Tournament of Titans | January 7, 2017 | 3 | 3:00 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | Light Heavyweight debut. |
| Win | 2–0 | Denzel Freeman | Decision (unanimous) | AFC 13 | October 1, 2016 | 3 | 3:00 | New Port Richey, Florida, United States | Won the AFC 230 lb Championship. |
| Win | 1–0 | Tyler Carey | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Undisputed Florida Fighting Championship 5 | September 19, 2016 | 1 | 2:00 | West Palm Beach, Florida, United States | Catchweight (230 lb) bout. |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b Ariel Helwani (June 28, 2022). New Bellator Champ Johnny Eblen Believes He Will Be Best Middleweight In The World - MMA Fighting – via YouTube.
- ^ "Bellator 218's Johnny Eblen Is Not Your Average Wrestler - FloCombat". www.flocombat.com. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
- ^ READER, Ilhyung Lee/MISSOURIAN. "FROM READERS: What is that on his back?". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
- ^ "Johnny Eblen - Wrestling". University of Missouri Athletics. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "5 Things You Might Not Know About Johnny Eblen". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
- ^ Palmer, Tod. "Injuries behind him, Missouri wrestler Johnny Eblen ready to make a splash at national". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ "Johnny Eblen: From Mizzou Wrestling to Future MMA Champion". MMA Sucka. 2018-05-23. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
- ^ Geller, Doug (2018-10-08). "Johnny Eblen looks to take the next step in becoming the next great MMA fighter to come out of the University of Missouri wrestling program". MyMMANews. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
- ^ "Across The Pond Profile: Bellator MMA fighter Johnny Eblen | MMA UK". 2021-07-08. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
- ^ Tees, David (27 February 2019). "Report: Johnny Eblen Faces Chauncey Foxworth At Bellator 218". fightful.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ "Bellator 218 winner Johnny Eblen ready to work on getting the finish he missed in Oklahoma". MMA Junkie. 2019-03-27. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
- ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2019-09-11). "Mauricio Alonso returns to Bellator cage 31 months after TKO win over Josh Koscheck". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
- ^ Tucker, Bryan (2019-10-04). "Bellator 229 Results: Koreshkov vs. Larkin". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
- ^ Kaplan, Amy (5 October 2020). "Johnny Eblen vs. Taylor Johnson official for Bellator 250 on Oct. 29". fansided.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ Tucker, Bryan (2020-10-29). "Bellator 250 Results: Mousasi vs. Lima". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
- ^ "Bellator 258: Johnny Eblen earns first Bellator finish with KO of Daniel Madrid, remains undefeated". FanSided. 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
- ^ Hammond, Mick (15 July 2021). "Johnny Eblen Expects To 'Put It On' Travis Davis At Bellator 262". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ Cageside Press (July 15, 2021). Bellator 262 Media Day: Johnny Eblen hopes for ranked opponent, talks Crypto – via YouTube.
- ^ "Bellator 262: Johnny Eblen manhandles Travis Davis to remain undefeated (Video)". FanSided. 2021-07-16. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
- ^ Guillen, Adam Jr. (2021-12-03). "Highlights! Johnny Eblen stops Collin Huckbody via strikes in 71 seconds at Bellator 272 | Video". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
- ^ Heck, Mike (2022-02-15). "Cat Zingano vs. Pam Sorenson, John Salter vs. Johnny Eblen among additions to Bellator 276 lineup". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-02-15.
- ^ Mike Bohn (December 16, 2021). "Johnny Eblen targets John Salter in Dublin after new Bellator deal with championship language". MMAjunkie.com.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 276 'Borics vs. Burnell' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
- ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2022-03-29). "Gegard Mousasi vs. Johnny Eblen set for Bellator 282 main event on June 24". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-06-24). "Bellator 282: Johnny Eblen Captures Middleweight Title with Career-Best Performance Against Gegard Mousasi". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
- ^ Critchfield, Tristen (18 July 2022). "Sherdog's Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings". sherdog.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ "Divisional Rankings - Middleweight". fightmatrix.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ Brett Okamoto (2022-12-27). "Middleweight Johnny Eblen to defend title at Bellator 290". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- ^ Dewar, Val (2023-02-04). "Bellator 290: Johnny Eblen Out-Grinds Anatoly Tokov to Retain Middleweight Title". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
- ^ "Edwards beats Mousasi to set up Bellator title shot". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
- ^ Dewar, Val (2023-09-23). "Bellator 299: Johnny Eblen Defends Middleweight Belt by Knocking Fabian Edwards Out Cold". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
- ^ "Bellator MMA vs. PFL supercard: Four champion vs. champion fights set for February in Saudi Arabia". CBSSports.com. 2024-01-16. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
- ^ "PFL vs. Bellator: Champions results: Johnny Eblen rallies to win split over Impa Kasanganay". sports.yahoo.com.
- ^ Dewar, Val (2024-02-24). "PFL vs. Bellator: Johnny Eblen Earns Nod Over Impa Kasanganay in Card's Best Battle". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Johnny Eblen". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-12-20.