Fabian Edwards didn’t have to attend lengthy to get a second crack on the championship belt in opposition to champion Johnny Eblen who he misplaced to again in September of 2023 at Bellator 299. It might take only one combat, a choice win over Aaron Jeffery in March of this yr, made it plain that Edwards would get his earned, and deserved, title shot simply over a yr later from the primary assembly they’d.
With simply three losses in 16 profession skilled fights, Edwards appears to be like to get the final word revenge by not solely beating Eblen within the rematch, however taking the Bellator middleweight title as properly. Chatting with MMASucka forward of the occasion, Edwards mentioned his happiness in getting the title combat rematch as rapidly as he did, being on the PFL’s ‘Battle Of The Giants’ PPV card, and what he’s realized since his first combat in opposition to Eblen.
Takeaways From Unique Combat
Edwards believes that his efficiency within the first combat he confirmed promotion officers his worth and value, and what he’s able to within the matchup in opposition to Eblen.
“I feel they noticed how the primary combat was going,” Edwards started. “I feel they’ll see I’m a extra likable character than Johnny. On the finish of the day, Johnny known as for a combat in opposition to Aaron Jeffery, he known as for Aaron after our combat and I went and beat Aaron so yeah, he misplaced. Johnny misplaced.”
Though he’s nonetheless a mainstay within the Bellator roster even by way of the Bellator-PFL merger, Edwards says he would welcome cross-promotion matchups with one of the 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 one of the best,” he mentioned. “Folks can say what they need to say, guys in different promotions saying they’re one of the best man however nobody is aware of till two guys truly combat. I hope sooner or later we are going to see cross-promotion exhibits as a result of that will give the followers what they actually need to see, which is one of the best on the earth in opposition to one another.”
Edwards Able to Go
As for his matchup in opposition to 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 shouldn’t be 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 ‘overlook the minimize’ skill-for-skill, there isn’t any areas that he was beating me. It’s simply unlucky that I acquired caught. It’s MMA, it’s four-ounce gloves. whenever you see large guys throwing down in there, that’s what it got here all the way down to. I simply acquired myself caught.”
Not solely is Edwards on the point of getting revenge within the rematch, however he’s additionally acquired the chance to say the world title he’s labored all his life for, and for him, the journey doesn’t finish with changing 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 might be part of the PFL event, and that’s one thing I might 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 combating and that’s it. I practice all yr spherical, and to have the ability to combat all yr, and defend the belt, that’s what I’m planning on doing.”
Last Ideas
Understanding the duty forward of him, Fabian Edwards is embracing all that comes with the problem of dealing with Johnny Eblen, and he appears to be like to avenge their first matchup, and develop into world champion by claiming the Bellator middleweight title.
