Johnny Eblen

Johnny Eblen (born December 13, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Professional Fighters League, where he is current interim PFL Middleweight Champion. He formerly competed in Bellator MMA, where he was the last Bellator Middleweight World Champion. As of January 27, 2026, he is #1 in the PFL middleweight rankings and as of April 21, 2026, he is #7 in the PFL men's pound-for-pound rankings.

Background 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.

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.

Mixed martial arts career Early career 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 .

Bellator MMA 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.

Bellator Middleweight champion 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.

Eblen was scheduled to face Fabian Edwards in a rematch on September 14, 2024, at Bellator Champions Series 5. On September 3, the bout was rescheduled for a later date with no reason given. The bout was rebooked to take place on October 19, 2024, at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants. Eblen won the fight by unanimous decision.

Professional Fighters League Eblen faced Costello van Steenis for the inaugural PFL Middleweight Championship on July 19, 2025, at PFL Champions Series 2. He lost the bout via submission in the final seconds of round five.

Eblen faced Bryan Battle on March 28, 2026, at PFL Pittsburgh. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round one.

Eblen was scheduled to rematch against Costello van Steenis for the PFL Middleweight Championship on July 18, 2026, at PFL Austin. However, van Steenis withdrew from the bout due to sustained an injury and was replaced by Impa Kasanganay for the interim title. He won the fight via technical knockout in round three.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Professional Fighters League Interim PFL Middleweight World Championship (One time, current) Bellator MMA

Three successful title defences PFL vs. Bellator Champions of Champions Super Belt (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Impa Kasanganay TKO (elbow and punches) PFL Austin: Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2

Austin, Texas, United States Win

Bryan Battle Submission (rear-naked choke) PFL Pittsburgh: Eblen vs. Battle

Moon Township, Pennsylvania, United States Loss

Costello van Steenis Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) PFL Champions Series 2

Cape Town, South Africa Win

Fabian Edwards Decision (unanimous) PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Win

Impa Kasanganay Decision (split) PFL vs. Bellator

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Win

Fabian Edwards KO (punches) Bellator 299

Dublin, Ireland Win

Anatoly Tokov Decision (unanimous) Bellator 290

Inglewood, California, United States Win

Gegard Mousasi Decision (unanimous) Bellator 282

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

John Salter Decision (unanimous) Bellator 276

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Win

Collin Huckbody TKO (punches) Bellator 272

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Travis Davis Decision (unanimous) Bellator 262

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Daniel Madrid KO (punches) Bellator 258

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Taylor Johnson Decision (unanimous) Bellator 250

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Mauricio Alonso Decision (unanimous) Bellator 229

Temecula, California, United States Win

Chauncey Foxworth Decision (unanimous) Bellator 218

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Tyler Lee TKO (submission to punches) Shamrock FC 310

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Wayman Carter Submission (guillotine choke) Shamrock FC 308

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Win

Raymond Gray TKO (submission to punches) Shamrock FC 298

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Wayne Collier TKO (submission to punches) Shamrock FC 291

Kansas City, Missouri, United States