Johnny Eblen
Born (1991-12-13) December 13, 1991
Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
Other namesThe Human Cheat Code
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
DivisionMiddleweight
Reach74 in (188 cm)
StyleWrestling
Fighting out ofCoconut Creek, Florida
TeamAmerican Top Team (2016–present)[1]
WrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling
Years active2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total14
Wins14
By knockout6
By submission1
By decision7
Losses0
Amateur record
Total3
Wins3
By submission1
By decision2
Other information
UniversityUniversity of Missouri
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

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. As of October 10, 2023, he is #5 in the Bellator men's pound-for-pound rankings.[2]

Background

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.[3][4][5][6][7]

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.[8][9]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

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 .[10]

Bellator MMA

Eblen made his promotional debut against Chauncey Foxworth on March 22, 2019, at Bellator 218.[11] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[12]

In his sophomore performance against Mauricio Alonso on October 4, 2019, at Bellator 229,[13] he won the bout via unanimous decision.[14]

Eblen faced Taylor Johnson on October 29, 2020, at Bellator 250,[15] winning the bout via unanimous decision.[16]

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.[17]

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Eblen faced Travis Davis on July 16, 2021, at Bellator 262.[18][19] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[20]

In his 6th bout with the promotion, Eblen defeated Collin Huckbody on December 3, 2021, at Bellator 272 via first round TKO stoppage.[21]

As the first bout his new six-fight contract, Eblen faced John Salter on March 12, 2022, at Bellator 276.[22][23] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[24]

Bellator Middleweight champion

Eblen faced Gegard Mousasi for the Bellator Middleweight Championship at Bellator 282 on June 24, 2022.[25] He won the bout and the title via a 50-45 unanimous decision on all judges' scorecards.[26] Following this victory, Eblen was ranked as the fourth best middleweight by Fight Matrix and eight by Sherdog.[27][28]

Eblen made his first title defense against Anatoly Tokov on February 4, 2023, at Bellator 290.[29] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[30]

Eblen defended his title against Fabian Edwards on September 23, 2023, at Bellator 299.[31] He won the fight via knockout in the third round.[32]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
14 matches 14 wins 0 losses
By knockout 6 0
By submission 1 0
By decision 7 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
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

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.

[33]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Ariel Helwani (June 28, 2022). New Bellator Champ Johnny Eblen Believes He Will Be Best Middleweight In The World - MMA Fighting – via YouTube.
  2. ↑ "Bellator Rankings". www.bellator.com. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  3. ↑ "Bellator 218's Johnny Eblen Is Not Your Average Wrestler - FloCombat". www.flocombat.com. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  4. ↑ READER, Ilhyung Lee/MISSOURIAN. "FROM READERS: What is that on his back?". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  5. ↑ "Johnny Eblen - Wrestling". University of Missouri Athletics. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  6. ↑ Sherdog.com. "5 Things You Might Not Know About Johnny Eblen". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  7. ↑ Palmer, Tod. "Injuries behind him, Missouri wrestler Johnny Eblen ready to make a splash at national". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  8. ↑ "Johnny Eblen: From Mizzou Wrestling to Future MMA Champion". MMA Sucka. 2018-05-23. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ "Across The Pond Profile: Bellator MMA fighter Johnny Eblen | MMA UK". 2021-07-08. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  11. ↑ Tees, David (27 February 2019). "Report: Johnny Eblen Faces Chauncey Foxworth At Bellator 218". fightful.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ Tucker, Bryan (2019-10-04). "Bellator 229 Results: Koreshkov vs. Larkin". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  15. ↑ Kaplan, Amy (5 October 2020). "Johnny Eblen vs. Taylor Johnson official for Bellator 250 on Oct. 29". fansided.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  16. ↑ Tucker, Bryan (2020-10-29). "Bellator 250 Results: Mousasi vs. Lima". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  17. ↑ "Bellator 258: Johnny Eblen earns first Bellator finish with KO of Daniel Madrid, remains undefeated". FanSided. 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  18. ↑ Hammond, Mick (15 July 2021). "Johnny Eblen Expects To 'Put It On' Travis Davis At Bellator 262". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  19. ↑ Cageside Press (July 15, 2021). Bellator 262 Media Day: Johnny Eblen hopes for ranked opponent, talks Crypto – via YouTube.
  20. ↑ "Bellator 262: Johnny Eblen manhandles Travis Davis to remain undefeated (Video)". FanSided. 2021-07-16. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  21. ↑ 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.
  22. ↑ 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.
  23. ↑ Mike Bohn (December 16, 2021). "Johnny Eblen targets John Salter in Dublin after new Bellator deal with championship language". MMAjunkie.com.
  24. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 276 'Borics vs. Burnell' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
  25. ↑ 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.
  26. ↑ 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.
  27. ↑ Critchfield, Tristen (18 July 2022). "Sherdog's Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings". sherdog.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  28. ↑ "Divisional Rankings - Middleweight". fightmatrix.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  29. ↑ Brett Okamoto (2022-12-27). "Middleweight Johnny Eblen to defend title at Bellator 290". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  30. ↑ Dewar, Val (2023-02-04). "Bellator 290: Johnny Eblen Out-Grinds Anatoly Tokov to Retain Middleweight Title". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  31. ↑ "Edwards beats Mousasi to set up Bellator title shot". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  32. ↑ Dewar, Val (2023-09-23). "Bellator 299: Johnny Eblen Defends Middleweight Belt by Knocking Fabian Edwards Out Cold". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
  33. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Johnny Eblen". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-12-20.
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