Middleweight World Champion Johnny Eblen Faces Anatoly Tokov at Bellator 290

LOS ANGELES – With a deliberate matchup between BELLATOR Mild Heavyweight World Champion Vadim Nemkov and the legendary Yoel Romero unable to happen as scheduled, a blockbuster BELLATOR Middleweight World Championship bout between present champion and #5-ranked pound-for-pound athlete Johnny Eblen (12-0) and Staff Fedor’s #3-ranked Anatoly Tokov (31-3) has been added because the co-main occasion for the promotion’s CBS debut this February 4 throughout BELLATOR 290 on the Kia Discussion board in Los Angeles. 

BELLATOR 290: Bader vs. Fedor 2 shall be headlined by undisputed Heavyweight World Champion Ryan Bader (30-7, 1 NC) defending his title in a rematch in opposition to MMA legendFedor Emelianenko (40-6, 1 NC). The BELLATOR 290 essential card may even embrace an explosive welterweight contest between Sabah Homasi (17-10) and longtime BELLATOR standout Brennan Ward (16-6) that’s certain to provide fireworks.

The occasion takes place on Saturday, February 4, 2023, with the primary card airing dwell starting at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on the CBS Tv Community and obtainable to stream dwell and on demand on Paramount+*. BELLATOR MMA, CBS and Paramount+ are all owned by Paramount.

Tickets for BELLATOR 290: Bader vs. Fedor 2 are on sale now at Bellator.com and Ticketmaster.

The undefeated Johnny Eblen vaulted himself to stardom together with his BELLATOR 282 victory over MMA legend Gegard Mousasi to change into BELLATOR’s middleweight champion, however his fame as a world-class fighter has been climbing for a while. Eblen has been flawless since becoming a member of the BELLATOR roster in 2019, racking up victories over Mousasi, John Salter, and former CFFC champion Collin Huckbodyin the method. Eblen’s dominance earned him the fifth place within the group’s pound-for-pound rankings, and his inclusion on BELLATOR’s CBS debut displays his spectacular technical skills and his stature as certainly one of MMA’s most interesting skills. The 31-year-old former College of Missouri wrestler will face Anatoly Tokov in his first title protection, which is able to function the co-main occasion of this historic occasion. 

Trying to spoil Eblen’s first title protection shall be Staff Fedor’s Anatoly Tokov, a fighter whose dazzling report is second solely to his in-cage performances. A embellished fight sambo athlete, Tokov shall be thrilled to combat for the celebrated BELLATOR middleweight title on the identical evening as his mentor Emelianenko. Like Eblen, Tokov has been excellent contained in the BELLATOR cage. His 7-0 report with the promotion is replete with 5 highlight-reel finishes and a win over former champion Alexander Shlemenko. The previous Absolute Championship Berkut titleholder is keen so as to add BELLATOR gold to his crowded mantle of accolades, and he’ll look to take action in opposition to a harmful champion in Eblen on February 4. Fittingly, Tokov’s final combat — a first-round destruction of Muhammad Abdullah— additionally happened on BELLATOR 282, when Eblen decisively received the title. Their paths destined to cross with championship stakes on the road, Eblen and Tokov will sq. off in certainly one of 2023’s can’t-miss fights dwell on CBS.

As well as, the BELLATOR 290 preliminary card has began to take form, with the thrilling inclusion of former welterweight title challenger Neiman Gracie (11-4) taking up the streaking American Prime Staff standout Michael Lombardo (13-3, 1 NC). Further bouts embrace a re-scheduled bantamweight scrap pitting Grand Prix alternate hopeful Jornel Lugo (8-1) in opposition to undefeated prospect Jaylon Bates (6-0), and the all the time thrilling Henry Corrales (20-6) returning to motion at featherweight in opposition to Akhmed Magomedov (9-0, 1 NC). A ladies’s flyweight contest can be official, by which former No. 1 contender Alejandra Lara (9-6) squares off in opposition to undefeated challenger Diana Avsaragova (5-0), as is a light-weight heavyweight tilt that includes Grant Neal (7-1) versus Sweden’s Karl Albrektsson (13-4). Lastly, a light-weight scrap that includes two former wrestling standouts in Chris Gonzalez (7-2) in opposition to former UFC athlete Max Rohskopf (7-1) is confirmed. All preliminary motion will happen LIVE on the BELLATOR YouTube channel, in addition to Pluto TV starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

*Paramount+ Premium subscribers may have entry to stream dwell through the dwell feed of their native CBS affiliate on the service in addition to on demand. Important-tier subscribers of Paramount+ and SHOWTIME subscribers may have entry to on-demand following the dwell presentation. 

BELLATOR 290: BADER VS. FEDOR 2 MAIN CARD: 

CBS and Paramount +
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 — 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

Heavyweight World Title Predominant Occasion: #C-Ryan Bader (30-7, 1 NC) vs. #3-Fedor Emelianenko (40-6, 1 NC) 

Middleweight World Title Co-Predominant Occasion: #C-Johnny Eblen (12-0)vs. Anatoly Tokov (31-3)

Welterweight Bout: Sabah Homasi (17-10) vs. Brennan Ward (16-6)

BELLATOR 290: BADER VS. FEDOR 2 PRELIMINARY CARD: 

BELLATOR MMA YouTube Channel | Pluto TV
6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT

Welterweight Bout: Neiman Gracie (11-4) vs. Michael Lombardo (13-3, 1 NC)

Bantamweight Bout: Jaylon Bates (6-0) vs. Jornel Lugo (8-1)

Featherweight Bout: Henry Corrales (20-6) vs. Akhmed Magomedov (9-0, 1 NC)

Mild Heavyweight Bout: Grant Neal (7-1) vs. Karl Albrektsson (13-4)

Light-weight Bout: Chris Gonzalez (7-2) vs. Max Rohskopf (7-1)

Flyweight Bout: Alejandra Lara (9-6) vs. Diana Avsaragova (5-0)

Welterweight Bout: Ethan Hughes (3-0) vs. Yusuf Karakaya (1-0)

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Government Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and in addition a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.