In the co-main event of the Bellator 290, American Johnny Eblen will be making his first title defense when he takes on Russian Anatoly Tokov in a fight for the Bellator Middleweight World championship. Eblen secured the title after a one-sided victory over Gegard Mousasi in June in a career in which he is undefeated so far. His opponent, Tokov, has been undefeated since joining the American organization and was a former ACB Middleweight champion back in his native Russia. The fight takes place this Saturday at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.
MMA: Bellator Middleweight World Championship
Location: Kia Forum, Inglewood, California
Where to watch: CBS, Paramount Plus
Date: 05.2.2023, 5:35
Johnny Eblen
Listed as number five in the Bellator men’s pound-for-pound rankings, Eblen is also ranked as the fourth-best middleweight by Fight Matrix and eighth by Sherdog. The champion is undefeated both in his amateur and professional careers. A wrestler from his College days, Eblen debuted in Bellator in 2019. Last June, he faced two-time Middleweight champion Mousasi for the championship and won the bout via a 50-45 unanimous decision on all Judges’ cards.
I’m gonna put it on him, man. It’s going to be fun, I can’t wait. I’m going to overwhelm him… I’m just going to wear him out and f*****g maul him. Just outstrike him and outwrestle him and exhaust him. I think I can finish him and stop him, but if I don’t we’ll go five rounds and I’ll get my hand raised.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 31
- Height: 6’ 1”
- Weight: 185 Ibs
- Reach: 74”
- Record: 12-0-0
Anatoly Tokov
The number three ranked Bellator Middleweight fought in various Russian promotions prior to signing to the American promotion in 2017. Starting from an early age to learn hand-to-hand combat, the former Russian national champion has competed in M-1 Global, Fight Nights Global, Rizin Fighting Federation, and Absolute Championship Berkut. He lost to Ramazan Emeev in a title match for the M-1 Global Middleweight championship in 2016 in his last loss. His last fight was in June 2022 at Bellator 282, stopping Muhammad Abdullah via first-round ground and pound TKO.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 32
- Height: 5’ 9”
- Weight: 185 Ibs
- Reach: 73”
- Record: 31-2-0
Betting Odds
Eblen is the favorite to win at 1.40 odds on Bet 365. That is not surprising, as he is undefeated. Total Over 2.5 is 1.47 odds on Coinplay. On 1xbet, betting No on will the specified round start (4) is available at 2.48 odds.
