Fabian Edwards didn’t have to wait long to get a second crack at the championship belt against champion Johnny Eblen who he lost to back in September of 2023 at Bellator 299. It would take just one fight, a decision win over Aaron Jeffery in March of this year, made it undeniable that Edwards would get his earned, and deserved, title shot just over a year later from the first meeting they had.
With just three losses in 16 career professional fights, Edwards looks to get the ultimate revenge by not only beating Eblen in the rematch, but taking the Bellator middleweight title as well. Speaking to MMASucka ahead of the event, Edwards discussed his happiness in getting the title fight rematch as quickly as he did, being on the PFL’s ‘Battle Of The Giants’ PPV card, and what he’s learned since his first fight against Eblen.
Takeaways From Original Fight
Edwards believes that his performance in the first fight he showed promotion officials his value and worth, and what he’s capable of in the matchup against Eblen.
“I think they saw how the first fight was going,” Edwards began. “I think they can see I’m a more likable character than Johnny. At the end of the day, Johnny called for a fight against Aaron Jeffery, he called for Aaron after our fight and I went and beat Aaron so yeah, he lost. Johnny lost.”
Although he’s still a mainstay in the Bellator roster even through the Bellator-PFL merger, Edwards says he would welcome cross-promotion matchups with the best middleweights in MMA.
“I’m a fighter, I’m a fighter at the end of the day, so it’s all about testing out who’s the best,” he said. “People can say what they want to say, guys in other promotions saying they’re the best guy but no one knows until two guys actually fight. I hope in the future we will see cross-promotion shows because that would give the fans what they really want to see, which is the best in the world against each other.”
Edwards Ready to Go
As for his matchup against Eblen, the top contender says he’s beyond excited for the matchup, and the timing of it all works out perfectly for him. Despite not getting the victory the first time, Edwards learned that the reigning champion is not more skilled than him, and he is full of confidence going into their second matchup.
“I learned that he’s not more skilled than me, that’s what I learned,” he recalled. “I said to everyone ‘forget the cut’ skill-for-skill, there is no areas that he was beating me. It’s just unfortunate that I got caught. It’s MMA, it’s four-ounce gloves. when you see big guys throwing down in there, that’s what it came down to. I just got myself caught.”
Not only is Edwards on the brink of getting revenge in the rematch, but he’s also got the opportunity to claim the world title he’s worked all his life for, and for him, the journey doesn’t end with becoming champion and embraces future challenges.
“It’s not just getting it once and that being it. It’s getting it, defending it. Someone asked if I would join the PFL tournament, and that’s something I would love to do. If I can defend the belt early, go off to the PFL tournament, and defend the belt again, I love that. I’m about fighting and that’s it. I train all year round, and to be able to fight all year, and defend the belt, that’s what I’m planning to do.”
Final Thoughts
Understanding the task ahead of him, Fabian Edwards is embracing all that comes with the challenge of facing Johnny Eblen, and he looks to avenge their first matchup, and become world champion by claiming the Bellator middleweight title.
