Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Bellator MMA
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Bellator Middleweight World Championship (One time; current) - Two Successful Title Defences
- PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions Super Belt (One time)
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| Johnny Eblen | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 13, 1991 Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. |
| Other names | The Human Cheat Code |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) |
| Division | Middleweight |
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) |
| Style | Wrestling |
| Fighting out of | Coconut Creek, Florida |
| Team | American Top Team (2016–present) [1] |
| Wrestling | NCAA Division I Wrestling |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 15 |
| Wins | 15 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 8 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Amateur record | |
| Total | 3 |
| Wins | 3 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Other information | |
| University | University 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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Eblen faced 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight champion Impa Kasanganay in a three round non-title crossover fight, on February 24, 2024, at PFL vs. Bellator. [33] He won the closely contested bout vis split decision. [34] [35]
Bellator Middleweight World Championship (One time; current) | 15 matches | 15 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 8 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 15–0 | Impa Kasanganay | Decision (split) | PFL vs. Bellator | February 24, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | For "PFL Champion vs. Bellator Champion" Super Belt. |
| 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 record breakdown | ||
| 3 matches | 3 wins | 0 losses |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 0 |
| 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. |
Gegard Mousasi is a Dutch mixed martial artist and former kickboxer, currently competing in Bellator MMA, where he is the former two-time Bellator Middleweight Champion. As of May 16, 2023, he is #2 in the Bellator Middleweight Rankings. He is also the former DREAM Light Heavyweight Champion, former DREAM Middleweight Champion, former Cage Warriors World Middleweight Champion, and the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion, thus making Mousasi an overall six-time MMA world champion. At the moment of his departure from the UFC in July 2017, he was #4 in the official UFC middleweight rankings, and he is currently ranked the #12 middleweight MMA fighter in the world by Fight Matrix.
Rory MacDonald is a Canadian former mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the welterweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Prior to signing with the PFL, MacDonald competed for Bellator MMA, where he is a former Bellator Welterweight World Champion. Having been a professional competitor since 2005, MacDonald was a top contender in the UFC with an overall UFC record of 9–4, and challenged for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 189 in against then-champion Robbie Lawler. He is also a former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion.
John Salter is an American retired mixed martial artist, he competed in the Middleweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2007, he has also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Strikeforce, King of the Cage, and the Aggression Fighting Championship (AFC).
Douglas Lima is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight and middleweight divisions of Bellator MMA, where he is a former three-time Bellator Welterweight Champion. He is also the former MFC Welterweight Champion. Lima and his younger brother, Dhiego, own and operate American Top Team - Team Lima in Duluth, Georgia.
Rafael Carvalho de Souza is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions of Bellator MMA, where he was a former Bellator Middleweight World Champion. As of December 2017, Carvalho is tied with Alexander Shlemenko for most title defenses in the division's history. He also won the Smash Fight middleweight championship in 2013.
Leandro Higo is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2006, he has also competed for Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Legacy Fighting Alliance. As of December 8, 2023, he is #6 in the Bellator Bantamweight Rankings.
Vadim Aleksandrovich Nemkov is a Russian professional mixed martial artist and a four-time Combat Sambo World Champion. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of Bellator, where he is the former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion. As of June 20, 2023, he is #1 in the Bellator men's pound-for-pound rankings. Nemkov is the younger brother of Viktor Nemkov and is a protégé of the MMA Heavyweight and Sambo master Fedor Emelianenko.
Anatoly Aleksandrovich Tokov is a Russian mixed martial artist currently fighting in the Middleweight division of Bellator MMA. Tokov has previously fought in promotions such as: M-1 Global, Fight Nights Global, Rizin Fighting Federation and Absolute Championship Berkut where Tokov became the one-time Middleweight champion. As of April 4, 2023, he is #3 in the Bellator Middleweight Rankings.
Fabian Edwards is an English professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of Bellator MMA. As of 16 May, 2023, he is #1 in the Bellator Middleweight Rankings. He is the younger brother of Leon Edwards, the current UFC Welterweight champion.
Cody Law is an American professional mixed martial artist and graduated collegiate wrestler currently competing in the featherweight division of Bellator MMA. As a folkstyle wrestler, he was an NCAA Division II champion and two-time DII All-American out of University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown and a PIAA champion as a high schooler.
Impa Kasanganay is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Light heavyweight division of Professional Fighters League (PFL). He formerly competed in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Bellator 264: Mousasi vs. Salter was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on August 13, 2021 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Bellator 275: Mousasi vs. Vanderford was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on February 25, 2022, at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.
Austin Vanderford is an American professional mixed martial artist, who competes in the Middleweight division. He previously fought in Bellator MMA, where he contended for the Bellator Middleweight World Championship.
Bellator 296: Mousasi vs. Edwards was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on May 12, 2023, at Accor Arena in Paris, France.
Bellator 282: Mousasi vs. Eblen was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on June 24, 2022, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, United States.
Dayana Silva is a Brazilian female mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of Bellator MMA.
Danny Sabatello is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of Bellator MMA. As of December 8, 2023, he is #8 in the Bellator Bantamweight Rankings.
Bellator 299: Eblen vs. Edwards was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA, that took place on September 23, 2023, at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.
Anthony Adams is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of Bellator MMA.
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