For the one-night title, Fabian Edwards defeated one of Bellator’s top stars.
Friday’s Bellator 296 main event saw Edwards defeat former middleweight champion Gergard Musasi. At the Accor Arena in Paris, Edwards received a unanimous decision, 49-46 on each of the three judges’ lists.
Following the main event, it was revealed that Edwards would now compete on September 23 in Dublin against champion Johnny Ebron for the Bellator middleweight championship. Once inside the cage, Eblen and the other inmate got into a heated argument that required security to step in and separate the two.
As they prepare to square off in Dublin on September 23, Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards have already started to develop tensions. 👀 Bellator 296 image via Twitter: Fo30pAailz
In the first ten minutes, Mousassi and Edwards both exercised extreme caution. On lap 2, Edwards was able to significantly increase his top control after appearing to push the action harder. Edwards fired two rounds, the first being an unlawful knee to the head and the second being a kick to the groin.
The third round’s scoring was more simpler. When Edwards found his range, it appeared that he fired more accurately than Mousassi. Also louder and more startling to Musassi were his fists.
Edwards entered the fourth round with the same momentum. Like his brother, UFC champion Leon Edwards, Edwards used a powerful, precise one-shot to dispatch Musassi. Although Mousassi was temporarily in charge of the bout after being knocked out, Edwards ultimately outscored Mousassi. In reality, Edwards was defeated in the final 10 seconds.
Edwards’ biggest lap was the last one. He was able to control his feet and take out his opponent’s middle. Once he was down, he took a step back and stayed there until the last bell. Edwards had an easy victory.