Fabian Edwards is no fan of Johnny Eblen’s shenanigans.
Edwards (13-3) will challenge Eblen (15-0) in a middleweight title rematch at the Bellator Champions Series in London on Sept. 14. Eblen successfully defended his Bellator MMA 185-pound title by third-round TKO in the pair’s first meeting at Bellator 299 in September 2023. “Pressure” immediately began taunting the fallen Edwards, leading to a heated exchange that required security intervention as Edwards’ brother, Leon Edwards, joined the brawl.
Edwards made headlines in February this year when he went on an $85,000 shopping spree with then-rumored girlfriend, OnlyFans model Jessenia Rebecca, days before his Bellator vs. PFL Champions title fight against Impa Kasanganay. Rebecca threatened to dump Eblen if he lost, but Eblen went on to defend his title by a close split decision.
Based on Eblen’s off-the-ball antics and some of his interactions outside the cage, Edwards called the champion a “fake,” and he believes Eblen’s OnlyFans adventures are just a publicity stunt.
“I think he’s a bit of a fake, to be honest with you. I think he’s a bit of a fake guy. The OnlyFans thing was staged, you know,” Edwards told talkSPORT. “If you’re the champion, why does he feel like he has to do something like that to promote yourself a bit more? I think it’s weird. I’ve had a few interactions with him outside the cage and I think it’s fake. “My coach always says to be nice to him on fight week and not try to attack before he gets in the cage, so the feud is still ongoing.”
Heading into the rematch, Edwards believes he already felt at his best in his first bout with Eblen, and although it will be the first rematch of his career, “The Assassin” knows what’s to come from conversations with other fighters.
“I think I felt him at his best. I felt like I could handle everything he threw at me before the first fight got called off. It was a mistake on my part, but that’s sport, you know? That’s sport. I felt what he felt. I’ve never had a rematch. I’ve talked to a couple of guys in the gym who have had rematches. Obviously, my brother has had a rematch with him.
[Kamaru
Usman,] It’s like I’ve felt it before. Now I know what they’re going to throw at me. I know exactly how to prepare. I’m looking forward to it.”
