Fabian Edwards didn’t have to attend lengthy to get a second crack on the championship belt towards champion Johnny Eblen who he misplaced to again in September of 2023 at Bellator 299. It might take only one struggle, a choice win over Aaron Jeffery in March of this 12 months, made it simple that Edwards would get his earned, and deserved, title shot simply over a 12 months later from the primary assembly they’d.
With simply three losses in 16 profession skilled fights, Edwards seems to get the last word revenge by not solely beating Eblen within the rematch, however taking the Bellator middleweight title as nicely. Chatting with MMASucka forward of the occasion, Edwards mentioned his happiness in getting the title struggle rematch as shortly as he did, being on the PFL’s ‘Battle Of The Giants’ PPV card, and what he’s realized since his first struggle towards Eblen.
Takeaways From Authentic Battle
Edwards believes that his efficiency within the first struggle he confirmed promotion officers his worth and price, and what he’s able to within the matchup towards Eblen.
“I feel they noticed how the primary struggle was going,” Edwards started. “I feel they will see I’m a extra likable character than Johnny. On the finish of the day, Johnny known as for a struggle towards Aaron Jeffery, he known as for Aaron after our struggle and I went and beat Aaron so yeah, he misplaced. Johnny misplaced.”
Though he’s nonetheless a mainstay within the Bellator roster even by the Bellator-PFL merger, Edwards says he would welcome cross-promotion matchups with the very best middleweights in MMA.
“I’m a fighter, I’m a fighter on the finish of the day, so it’s all about testing out who’s the very best,” he mentioned. “Individuals can say what they need to say, guys in different promotions saying they’re the very best man however nobody is aware of till two guys truly struggle. I hope sooner or later we are going to see cross-promotion reveals as a result of that will give the followers what they actually need to see, which is the very best on the earth towards one another.”
Edwards Able to Go
As for his matchup towards Eblen, the highest contender says he’s past excited for the matchup, and the timing of all of it works out completely for him. Regardless of not getting the victory the primary time, Edwards realized that the reigning champion just isn’t extra expert than him, and he is stuffed with confidence going into their second matchup.
“I realized that he’s no more expert than me, that’s what I realized,” he recalled. “I mentioned to everybody ‘neglect the reduce’ skill-for-skill, there isn’t a areas that he was beating me. It’s simply unlucky that I received caught. It’s MMA, it’s four-ounce gloves. whenever you see huge guys throwing down in there, that’s what it got here all the way down to. I simply received myself caught.”
Not solely is Edwards on the point of getting revenge within the rematch, however he’s additionally received the chance to say the world title he’s labored all his life for, and for him, the journey doesn’t finish with turning into champion and embraces future challenges.
“It’s not simply getting it as soon as and that being it. It’s getting it, defending it. Somebody requested if I’d be a part of the PFL event, and that’s one thing I’d like to do. If I can defend the belt early, go off to the PFL event, and defend the belt once more, I really like that. I’m about preventing and that’s it. I practice all 12 months spherical, and to have the ability to struggle all 12 months, and defend the belt, that’s what I’m planning on doing.”
Closing Ideas
Understanding the duty forward of him, Fabian Edwards is embracing all that comes with the problem of dealing with Johnny Eblen, and he seems to avenge their first matchup, and turn out to be world champion by claiming the Bellator middleweight title.
