Gegard
Mousasi is unfazed at the possibility of squaring off against
another wrestlling-minded opponent.
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The reigning middleweight champion will attempt to defend his belt
when he faces Johnny
Eblen in the
Bellator 282 headliner on June 24 at Mohegan Sun Arena in
Uncasville, Conn. Eblen’s credentials include an undefeated MMA
record and a standout career as a wrestler at the University of
Missouri. After stoppage wins against Austin
Vanderford and John Satler in his previous two promotional
appearances, Mousasi doesn’t believe Eblen brings anything new to
the table.
“The last two opponents were similar style wrestlers, take you
down, hold you and ground-and-pound. Basically I’ve been training
for a guy like him for a year almost now,” Mousasi said during a
Bellator 282 virtual media day. “So, nothing new.”
Eblen secured the title shot with a three-round verdict over Salter
at Bellator 276 this past March. Mousasi will represent a
significant step up in competition for the American Top Team
product. That said, Mousasi acknowledges that since his opponent is
a relative newcomer, he could bring new skills to the table in
their fight.
“[There’s] lot of things I haven’t seen from him,” Mousasi said. “I
haven’t seen him on his back. I haven’t seen him go five rounds.
Who knows? We’ll see.”
Much of the intrigue surrounding Mousasi involves his future,
whether it’s a potential middleweight title bout against Yoel Romero
or a move up to 205 pounds in a bid to become a two-division
champion.
“I haven’t looked past this fight,” Mousasi said. “There’s Corey
Anderson and our Russian friend [Vadim
Nemkov]. [If] Yoel Romeo is in there as a middleweight, I would
like that. But let’s see how this fight goes first.”
Regardless, Mousasi hopes to maintain an active itinerary. Eblen
will be his third fight in 10 months and he’d like to keep that
momentum going.
“They’re gonna keep me busy,” he said. “If things go well, I’m
gonna fight end of the year probably.”
Mousasi acknowledges that Bellator brass were happier with his
efforts against Salter and Vanderford than they were with decision
wins over Douglas
Lima and Lyoto
Machida. “The Dreamcatcher” has designs on making short work of
Eblen, as well.
“I’m coming to finish,” he said. “I talked to Scott [Coker] and my
performances against Douglas
Lima and Machida were not appreciated. So we have to put on a
show. If Eblen comes to fight, it’s going to be even better. It’s
going to be a good and exciting fight.”