The Gegard Mousasi era is over in the Bellator middleweight division.
In a shocking turn of events, Johnny Elben had the performance of a lifetime to dominate Mousasi and capture the Bellator middleweight title on Friday night in the main event of Bellator 282, which took place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Elben controlled every facet of the fight, outstriking Mousasi on the feet and totally overwhelming him on the mat to ultimately win a one-sided unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45).
It marked just the second loss of Mousasi’s five-year run in Bellator, and halted a four-fight winning streak that had fans debating whether Mousasi deserved to be considered among the best middleweights in the word.
Not surprisingly, the MMA world had plenty to see about the unexpected result. Check out reaction to Elben’s title-winning performance over Mousasi below, courtesy of Jorge Masvidal, Yoel Romero, and much more.
Congrats @JohnnyEblen and new! @AmericanTopTeam strikes again https://t.co/USDaddwxsO
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) June 25, 2022
I can’t remember Mousasi ever leaving his chin up in the air so much before! #Bellator282
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 25, 2022
And New! What a night! Congratulations @johnnyeblen. ATT!!!#attarmy #andnew #humancheatcode pic.twitter.com/H8Ndo3pT83
— Thiago “Pitbull” Alves (@ThiagoAlvesATT) June 25, 2022
Congrats to the new champ @johnnyeblen and his team at @americantopteam @kingmofh @danlambertatt pic.twitter.com/dOSxBSPwKr
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) June 25, 2022
What a performance from Johnny Eblen! #Bellator282 https://t.co/LI1ZyiDXEE
— Joe Joe Giannetti (@Giannettimma) June 25, 2022
185 #iseeyousoonboi
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) June 25, 2022
You trying to make that happen? https://t.co/aFiIqUnqOv
— Adrian Yanez (@yanezmma) June 25, 2022
Congrats to Johnny Eblen on a great fight! And New #Bellator282
— Logan Storley (@storleystorm) June 25, 2022
I’m gone fuck him up #Bellator282 #BellatorBWGP
— RAUFEON (@RaufeonStots) June 25, 2022
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