Johnny Eblen

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Eblen made his promotional debut against Chauncey Foxworth on March 22, 2019, at Bellator 218.

He won the bout via unanimous decision.

In his sophomore performance against Mauricio Alonso on October 4, 2019, at Bellator 229, he won the bout via unanimous decision.

Eblen faced Taylor Johnson on October 29, 2020, at Bellator 250, winning the bout via unanimous decision.

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.

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Eblen faced Travis Davis on July 16, 2021, at Bellator 262.

He won the bout via unanimous decision.

In his 6th bout with the promotion, Eblen defeated Collin Huckbody on December 3, 2021, at Bellator 272 via first round TKO stoppage.

As the first bout his new six-fight contract, Eblen faced John Salter on March 12, 2022, at Bellator 276.

He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Eblen faced Gegard Mousasi for the Bellator Middleweight Championship at Bellator 282 on June 24, 2022.

He won the bout and the title via a 50-45 unanimous decision on all judges' scorecards.

Following this victory, Eblen was ranked as the fourth best middleweight by Fight Matrix and eight by Sherdog.

Eblen made his first title defense against Anatoly Tokov on February 4, 2023, at Bellator 290.

He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Eblen defended his title against Fabian Edwards on September 23, 2023, at Bellator 299.

He won the fight via knockout in the third round.

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.

He won the closely contested bout vis split decision.