New middleweight champion at Bellator, Elben doesn't say he's surprised by his performance against Mousasi: 'It was like training'

J. Eblen after victory at Bellator. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Winning the middleweight belt (up to 83,9kg.) at Bellator 282, held this Friday (24), in Uncasville (USA), does not surprise Johnny Eblen. The new king in the company, the fighter ‘dispatched’ veteran Gegarg Mousasi and assumed the throne of the division. In a press conference after the event, the fighter revealed that the impeccable performance was expected.

“I knew this was going to happen (the win). I expected that. I know there are many critics and people who doubted me. They said I wouldn't last in the confrontation. He himself (Mousasi) said he would beat me in the third round. I knew he was mistaken. (…) It was like training,” he said.

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The great protagonist of Bellator 282, Eblen had a remarkable performance against a renowned athlete in mixed martial arts. After five rounds of competition, the North American was declared the winner with a unanimous decision by the judges.

On the middleweight throne, Johnny has more to celebrate. The triumph against Gegard extended his unbeaten record in professional MMA. Now, the fighter has 12 victories in a row and doesn't know what it's like to lose in the sport.

Defeated in the event, Mousasi saw his reign in the category come to an end for the second time. Against Eblen, the veteran was trying to reach his second title defense.