With an impeccable performance, Johnny Eblen beats Gegard Mousasi and wins the middleweight belt at Bellator 282

G. Mousasi and J. Eblen greet each other before Bellator 282 (Photo: Instagram/@bellatormma)

Bellator's middleweight division (up to 83,9kg) has a new champion. North American Johnny Eblen nullified the veteran Gegard Mousasi and won the belt of the organization chaired by Scott Coker. The triumph took place at Bellator 282, which was held last Friday (24)

Prospect for American Top Team, the largest MMA gym in the world, Johnny has worn Bellator gloves since March 2019 and is undefeated in mixed martial arts with 11 consecutive victories.

Veteran of mixed martial arts, Gegard Mousasi He was dethroned after three title defenses and will have to retrace his path in the middleweight division if he still wants to be world champion again. The Dutchman has a record of 49 wins, eight setbacks and two draws as a professional.

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THE FIGHT

Eblen started the round more active, kicking Mousasi in the waist line and attacking from medium to long distance. Johnny feinted with his right hand and landed a beautiful cross on Mousasi. Long later, Eblen landed another heavy left blow that made the veteran bend his knees and go for a knockdown. With Gegard glued to the railing, Johnny pinned his rival, who had his back to the railing. Using the three-pronged position to avoid being hit, Mousasi breathed and tried to recover from the complicated moment. The champion landed a good combination of jabs on the challenger and the round ended with a slight provocation from Eblen.

Mousasi returned more aggressive for the second half, but Eblen looked dangerous with his counterattacks. After suffering a dangerous counterattack, Johhny quickly fell and took down the champion. Mousasi tried to explode to get out from under the challenger, but Johhny held his opponent well and, even standing up, he remained trapped. The champion manages to free himself from the position and tries to corner Eblen against the fence. The challenger lands a good cross, which rocks Mousasi.

Eblen entered the third phase, combining more strikes in the stand-up fight, pressing the champion against the cage in his striking. Johnny lands a cross that scrapes Mousasi's face. The challenger began to impose himself with authority, also in striking and left the champion with no 'alternative' for the fight, until then. Even without getting any takedowns during the round, Eblen continued to have the advantage, however, now, in striking.

Eblen starts the round explosively, combining a high kick followed by a takedown that leaves the champion with his back against the fence. Johnny clamped down on his rival and tried to grab his neck, but Mousasi still managed, with great difficulty, to counter the attacks. The two athletes return to the center of the cage, but Johhny soon gets another takedown. Mousasi appears physically exhausted and is unable to get out of the position imposed by the challenger. Eblen still explodes in the final seconds and manages to land a cross before the end of the round.

At the beginning of the last round, Eblen began provoking the champion with some feints and plastic blows. To 'guarantee' the duel, Johnny got on the legs again and, without any difficulty, achieved another takedown over the champion. Aware of his victory so far, the challenger simply clamped and locked the champion with his back against the fence and gently punched the veteran in the ribs. Gegard used the little gas he still had to try to explode, but Eblen, younger and more physically prepared, didn't let the champion get up until the bell sounded.