Excitement is in the air as Dublin prepares to host another thrilling night at BELLATOR MMA 299: Eblen vs Edwards. Fighters shared their thoughts with the media, heightening anticipation for their upcoming battles on Saturday, September 23 at the 3Arena. The important Middleweight Title Weight fight between champion Johnny Eblen and #1 challenger Fabian Edwards headlines the night, promising a spectacle with rising tensions and Edwards eyeing a historic win for UK MMA.
The main card features engaging fights, including Irish favorites Sinead Kavanagh and Pedro Carvalho, who aim to electrify their home crowd. Carvalho is determined to regain title contention, facing Aaron Pico in a projected closely contested fight, while Kavanagh, having recovered from an injury, seeks to maintain her winning streak against Sara Collins.
Irish talent dominates both the main card and prelims, setting the stage for an energized ambiance in Dublin. The event will be broadcast LIVE on DAZN, available in the US on SHOWTIME, in the UK on BBC iPlayer, and in Ireland on Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport starting 9 p.m. GMT. Preliminary fights will also be streamed live starting 4 p.m. GMT.
Remaining tickets for BELLATOR 299 are available for purchase through Bellator.com.
Here’s what the BELLATOR 299 fighters had to say:
JOHNNY EBLEN – BELLATOR MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION Expressing his admiration for Dublin, Eblen considered it an honor to fight in the 3Arena, appreciating the vibrant energy of the Irish crowd. Confident in his abilities, Eblen believes he’s one of the best Middleweights globally, respecting his peers like Sean Strickland.
Acknowledging the skills of both Fabian and his brother, Eblen remained confident about his victory, emphasizing his adaptability and the unique atmosphere at American Top Team (ATT). Eblen expressed his excitement about facing Edwards, emphasizing his intentions to rearrange Edwards’ face due to his unsettling energy.
FABIAN EDWARDS – NO. 1 RANKED BELLATOR MIDDLEWEIGHT Edwards conveyed calmness, reflecting on his long journey and the years of dedication leading to this moment. He envisioned his victory as a realization of his goals since signing with BELLATOR.
He analyzed his past defeats, attributing them to his evolving skill set and maintained a positive outlook. Edwards noted the significance of beating Gegard Mousasi and the importance of being a role model, stressing his humble beginnings and his commitment to giving back to the community.
AARON PICO – NO. 3 RANKED BELLATOR FEATHERWEIGHT Pico expressed his satisfaction with the fight week and the warm reception he received. He was keen on entertaining the Irish fans and emphasized the uniqueness of every fighter’s journey. Pico was focused on defeating Pedro and relished the prospect of spending time with his son after a potential victory.
PEDRO CARVALHO – NO. 5 RANKED BELLATOR FEATHERWEIGHT Carvalho felt right and excited about the upcoming fight, expressing his longing to fight top contenders. He envisaged fighting for the interim belt due to Patricio Pitbull’s unavailability.
He acknowledged Pico’s improvements and aggressive fighting style, emphasizing the need to be alert due to Pico’s explosive nature. Carvalho reflected on his previous loss to Jeremy Kennedy and the importance of learning from past mistakes, while expressing his hunger for the title and focusing on defeating Pico to pave his way for the Interim belt.
In summary, BELLATOR 299 is shaping up to be a riveting night in Dublin, with fighters from different divisions sharing their perspectives, strategies, and aspirations ahead of their significant fights, all broadcast LIVE on DAZN.