Johnny Eblen fights safely and defends middleweight belt against Anatoly Tokov at Bellator 290

Johnny Eblen is the current Bellator middleweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

He just gave it. Middleweight champion (up to 83,9kg) since last season, Johnny Eblen had a solid performance at Bellator 290, held this Saturday (4), in Inglewood (USA). In his first title defense, the American controlled Anatoly Tokov and, abusing takedowns, received a positive result in the unanimous decision of the judges.

Victorious in the co-main fight, Eblen has plenty of reasons to celebrate. In addition to remaining on the throne of the division, the athlete remains undefeated as a professional in MMA, reaching the mark of 13 positive results in a row.

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Willing to 'spoil Johnny's party', Tokov had a lackluster performance. The fighter, who assumed the status of challenger after seven consecutive victories, ended up losing his first commitment with the company's gloves.

Sovereign Champion

The confrontation began with Eblen taking the initiative with a low kick. In the first minute, the fighters exchanged punches in the center of the cage and excited the crowd. Almost halfway through the round, Tokov indicated a blow to the waistline. The Russian, however, recovered and attempted a takedown afterwards. Towards the final minute, the fighters began to measure strength in the clinch, close to the bars. Eblen put pressure on his opponent, who tried to break free. The stage ended with the athletes studying each other in the center of the Octagon.

In the second round, the combatants attacked each other simultaneously; Johnny with a kick and Anatoly with a cross. Tokov continued to try to surprise the champion and closed the distance, throwing straights and crosses. Two minutes later, Johnny hit his rival with a clean cross, but Tokov was surprising with his ability to absorb attacks. Almost in the final minute, Anatoly rocked Johnny with a straight shot. The champion continued walking towards his opponent, but showed signs of having felt the action. Despite the scare, Eblen managed to surprise and took down his opponent with a well-aimed attack, but there was no more time.

The third round started evenly, but in the opening minutes, Eblen shortened the fight and went into a grappling fight. The champion pressed his opponent against the bars and looked for a takedown. After the scare in the previous round, Johnny started to act strategically and dominated with takedowns. Tokov managed to free himself, but received a direct hit. In the final minute, Eblen again hit Anatoly in the face, but the Russian continued to impress with his ability to resist the champion. The clash ended with the athletes saving on gas.

Right at the beginning of the fourth round, the athletes went for 'all or nothing'. Eblen was superior and managed to take down his opponent. Johnny remained strategic and managed to reach the back. The champion attempted a submission, while the Russian protected himself. Halfway through the stage, Eblen managed to take down again and controlled the actions. In the final minute, the champion started attacking with ground and pund, while Tokov tried to 'escape'. The stage ended with the champion pressing his opponent close to the bars.

In the last round, the Russian launched the first attack, with a direct attack. Eblen saved on strikes and managed the result. With a minute gone by, Johnny landed a clean overhand on the Russian's face, who didn't flinch. During the confrontation, Eblen controlled and managed to take the fight to the ground. Tokov showed signs of tiredness and the champion took advantage of the situation. In the final seconds, Anatoly managed to stay on his feet, but was easily knocked down again, until the timer ran to zero.

Neiman Gracie recovers from negative series

N. Gracie is a Brazilian standout in the Bellator welterweight division. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

PUBLICITY:

Brazilian promise at welterweight (up to 77,1kg.), Neiman Gracie He didn't finish, but he won safely. Dante Schiro's opponent on the preliminary card, the athlete had no problems and triumphed with ease. After three rounds, the athlete overcame his rival in a unanimous decision by the judges.

With the result, Gracie ends a series of two defeats. The fighter's last triumph had taken place in September 2021.

Outperformed on points, Schiro found himself in trouble in the company. The setback causes the athlete to reach the mark of three negative results in four commitments.

Highlight is beaten by rival outside the ranking

Brennan ward defeated Sabah Homasi at Bellator 290. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @BellatorMMA

Current number eight in the welterweight rankings (under 77,1kg), Sabah Homasi was surprised in the fight that opened the main card. Before Brennan ward, an unranked athlete, the fighter had a good start to the match, but ended up succumbing to his opponent's aggressiveness. Victim of fatal combinations from his rival, the fighter was defeated by technical knockout after an epic massacre.

With the result, Ward starts to dream of a future title fight. The athlete also reaches the mark of three consecutive victories.

Surprised at the event, Homasi has something to regret. The fighter's two-fight winning streak ended. The athlete must also lose his prominent place in the category led by Yaroslav Amosov (lineal champion) and Logan storley (interim champion).

Russo loses his first in MMA with brutal knockout

Lorenz Larkin defeated Mukhamed Berkhamov at Bellator 290. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @BellatorMMA

Bellator's 29-year-old promise, Mukhamed Berkhamov suffered his first defeat in MMA in a brutal way. In a welterweight clash (up to 77,1kg), the Russian was unable to impose his strategy against Lorenz Larkin and ended up 'erased' after receiving a clean elbow to the temple. After the action, the athlete was immediately knocked out just over a minute into the fight.

With the result, Berkhamov suffered his first setback. Before Bellator 290, the Russian had accumulated 14 consecutive victories.

Protagonist of the 'knockout of the show', Lorenz has reasons to celebrate. Now, the welterweight maintains an undefeated series of eight consecutive victories.

Veteran takes invincibility away from promise

Henry Corrales defeated Akhmed Magomedov at Bellator 290. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

MMA veteran, Henry Corales proved that experience can overcome promises. In a featherweight fight (up to 65,7kg), the North American staged a comeback in the circular cage. After losing the first round against Akhmed Magomedov, the fighter recovered, winning the following rounds and winning by unanimous decision from the judges.

With the result, Corales reached his 21st positive result in his career. At Bellator, the athlete reached the mark of three consecutive victories.

A promise from the organization, Magomedov, 26 years old, suffered the first setback in his career. The athlete now has a stumble in 10 challenges.

Undefeated duel ends in draw

Ali Isaev and Steve Mowry drew at Bellator 290. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @BellatorMMA

An unusual result marked the clash between undefeated players on the preliminary card. Heavyweight athletes (up to 120,2 kg.), Ali Isaev and Steve Mowry had a balanced confrontation. After three rounds, the side judges unanimously decided to declare the matches a draw.

Category promise led by Ryan bader, Ali continues with nine positive results. Now, the fighter has 10 appearances in MMA.

In his 11th challenge in the sport, Mowry was unable to add another victory.

Lightweight runs over and recovers in the division

Chris Gonzalez defeated Max Rohskopf at Bellator 290. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @BellatorMMA

Victim of the lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg.) Usman Nurmagomedov In his last commitment, Chris Gonzalez bounced back in style. Opponent of Max Rohskopf, the athlete managed to overcome his opponent's grappling strategy and scored the first knockout of the event. Sharp, the fighter knocked out his rival in the second stage, with a severe combination of punches.

With the victory, Gonzalez once again dreams of stability in the company. If he were to be overcome, the fighter would reach the mark of three setbacks in the last five commitments.

Former UFC representative, Rohskopf did not have the debut he expected. The athlete debuts in the company with a harsh negative result, marking the third stumble in 10 fights in MMA.

Bellator Bet Wins Yet Another

Grant Neal defeated Karl Albrektsson at Bellator 290. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @BellatorMMA

Promise of 27 years in the light heavyweight division (up to 93kg.), Grant Neal went through another challenge in the organization. Bet on the division led by Vadim nemkov, the fighter had a balanced confrontation with Karl Albrektsson, but convinced the majority of the judges. After three rounds, the fighter was declared the winner in a split decision.

With the victory, Neal extends the good moment. Now, the athlete has seven victories in eight challenges in the organization.

Stopped by Grant, Karl had the warning signal turned on. With the stumble, the athlete suffered the second setback in a row.

Former title challenger loses fourth in a row

Diana Avsaragova defeated Alejandra Lara at Bellator 290. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @BellatorMMA

Challenger for the flyweight belt (up to 56,7kg) in 2018, Alejandra Lara continues to have difficulty finding her way back into the organization. Over the weekend, the athlete encountered difficulties in her clash with the undefeated Diana Avsaragova. Over the course of 15 minutes, the Colombian alternated between good and bad moments, but ended up being defeated in a split decision by the judges.

With the defeat, Lara remains under pressure in the company. The athlete has now accumulated four consecutive defeats.

The organization's promise, Diana Avsaragova has plenty of reasons to celebrate. The 24-year-old fighter reaches her sixth positive result in a row and continues without experiencing a setback as a professional in MMA.

Nikita Mikhailov beats Darrion Caldwell and complicates rival

Nikita Mikhailov beat Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 290. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @BellatorMMA

The truncated clash marked the opening fight of Bellator 290. In a bantamweight contest (up to 61,2kg), Nikita Mikhailov had a balanced fight against Darrion Caldwell. After three rounds, the Russian was declared the winner with a unanimous decision.

As a result, Mikhailov recovers in the organization. After losing his first match last season, the fighter is back on the path to victory and has now won three victories in four challenges in the company.

Outmatched once again in the circular cage, Caldwell got into trouble once and for all. The stumble against Nikita represents the fighter's fourth consecutive setback.

Bellator 290 Stats

Bellator 290 results

MAIN CARD 

Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Ryan bader derrotou Fedor Emelianenko by technical knockout 2m30s of R1 – Fight for the belt

Middleweight (up to 83,9kg): Johnny Eblen defeated Anatoly Tokov by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-36) – Fight for the belt

Welterweight Weight: Brennan ward defeated Sabah Homasi by technical knockout at 1m34s of R2

PRELIMINARY CARD (20 p.m. Brasília time)

Welterweight (up to 77,1kg): Yusuf Karakaya defeated Ethan Hughes by judges' decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Bantamweight (up to 61,2kg): Jaylon Bates defeated Jornel Lugo in a split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Isaiah Hokit defeated Peter Ishiguro via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Welterweight (up to 77,1kg): Neiman Gracie defeated Dante Schiro via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Welterweight (up to 77,1kg): Lorenz Larkin defeated Mukhamed Berkhamov by knockout (elbow) 1min41s into R1

Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Henry Corrales defeated Akhmed Magomedov by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Heavyweight (up to 120,2kg): Ali Isaev and Steve Mowry drew unanimous decision (28-28, 28-28, 28-28)

Lightweight (up to 70,3kg): Chris Gonzales defeated Max Rohskopf by technical knockout (punches) 1min22s into R2

Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Grant Neal defeated Karl Albrektsson via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Diana Avsaragova defeated Alejandra Lara in a split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Bantamweight (up to 61,2kg): Nikita Mikhailov defeated Darrion Caldwell via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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