Fabian Edwards and the Best Middleweights: Johnny Eblen's Bold Claims

Johnny Eblen's Claim

According to Johnny Eblen, two of the best Middleweights are in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Professional Fighters League (PFL). Bellator Middleweight champion Eblen puts his title on the line against Fabian Edwards at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants this weekend (Sat., Oct 19, 2024) from inside Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two Middleweights fought at Bellator 299 in 2023, and Eblen knocked Edwards out with vicious elbows.

The Best in the Division

Eblen has long been debated as one of the best Middleweights in the world who fights outside of UFC. Today, at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants media day, he was asked who he thinks is the current best 185er. “I’m going to have to go with my boy, Sean Strickland,” Eblen told the media. “Every time I go out to train with him in Las Vegas, it’s through rounds. He gets me sometimes; I get him sometimes. I think we’re truly the best middleweights in the world, and the fact that I get to train with him and we happen to be in different promotions is kind of cool. We’re also making good money. So, that’s the best Middleweight I can say.

Training and Strategy

Any guy can have his day, though. There’s a top five, and any one of those guys can be a champion.” Eblen often cross-trains with former UFC Middleweight champion Strickland for his training camp; however, for this particular camp, “Tarzan” didn’t give Eblen any extra work because Edwards is a southpaw.

Watch the Action

If I can break the fourth wall for a second, I have watched Strickland and Eblen spar several times. They go to war in the training room, and it’s truly a joy to watch because of how they match up and how good they are.

Event Coverage

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire “Battle of the Giants” fight card, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 1:30 p.m. ET before the main card start time at 4 p.m. ET on DAZN PPV. To check out the latest news and notes for “Nanngou vs. Ferreria,” be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive.