Fabian Edwards Dominates Gegard Mousasi, Earns Title Fight With Johnny Eblen – Bellator 296 Results (Highlights)

Edwards gets the biggest win of his career against Mousasi.

Written by Christopher De Santiago
Last updated on May 12th, 2023
Mousasi Edwards Vs
(via @bellatormma - Twitter)

It’s main event time at Bellator 296.

Former two-time Bellator Middleweight Champion Gegard Mousasi faces off with top contender Fabian Edwards to determine who will get the next title shot against reigning champ Johnny Eblen.

Round 1:

Mousasi and Edwards pick at each other with kicks. Mousasi kicks Edwards in his crotch, halting the headliner for a moment. The fight resumes. Edwards fires off a body kick and then a knee up the middle. They exchange leg kicks but Mousasi lands more of them. Edwards goes to the body again with a solid kick. Mousasi continues with constant leg kicks. Edwards throws the left hand.

CDS: 10-9 Edwards

Round 2:

Edwards punches Mousasi a few times to begin the round. Mousasi throws a leg kick before being taken down by Edwards. Mousasi hits Edwards from his back. Having a butterfly guard, Mousasi slaps Edwards a few times. Edwards looks for more control but Mousasi reverses position, getting top position himself. Mousasi lands an illegal knee to the head of the grounded Edwards. The referee pauses the fight for a minute or two.

Edwards decides to continue and the fight is back on. Mousasi gets knocked down after a few good strikes land from Edwards. The very fast Edwards outboxes Mousasi in the final minute of the round. 

CDS: 10-9 Edwards

Round 3:

Edwards pours on the pressure, finding a great rhythm in the striking department. Mousasi lands a solid jab but is eye poked in the exchange. Fight resumes. Edwards fires a body kick. Mousasi eats a knee to the body. Edwards racks up many leg kicks. Mousasi lands a jab. Edwards is in-and-out with his consistent leg kick attack. Edwards punches to the head and then to the body in an excellent combo. 

CDS: 10-9 Edwards

Round 4:

Edwards utilizes his quick movement to get away from most of Mousasi’s striking attacks. Edwards chops down the legs of Mousasi with kicks. Mousasi closes the distance by landing some punches and grabs a takedown of Edwards. Edwards doesn’t take too long to get back up. 

Mousasi lands a good right hand before looking for another takedown. Edwards denies this attempt and proceeds to control Mousasi in the clinch. Edwards takes down Mousasi in the final seconds of the round.

CDS: 10-9 Mousasi

Round 5:

Mousasi takes a leg kick from Edwards. Both fighters throw punches but they don’t find their target for the most part. Edwards takes down Mousasi, easily getting the back of Mousasi with a body-triangle. Mousasi tries to move his way out of it but isn’t successful. Edwards doesn’t do much with this dominant position but he’s winning nonetheless. 

CDS: 10-9 Edwards (total score: 49-46 Edwards)

Official result: Fabian Edwards defeats Gegard Mousasi by unanimous decision (49-46 x3)

After the fight, the victorious Fabian Edwards would face off with middleweight champion Johnny Eblen. This has been confirmed as the next title fight with Bellator announcing they will collide on Sep. 23 in Dublin, Ireland.

Check out the highlights below:

Published on May 12, 2023 at 6:52 pm
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Christopher De Santiago

Christopher De Santiago
Christopher De Santiago is a journalist out of Gainesville, Texas with years of experience covering MMA. Follow him on X: @chris_dsantiago

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