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 was the second defeat in five years of Mousasi in Bellator. Fans debated whether Mousasi should be considered one of the top middleweights.
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 recall Mousasi lifting his head so often 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 great performance by Johnny Eblen #Bellator282 https://t.co/LI1ZyiDXEE
— Joe Joe Giannetti (@Giannettimma) June 25, 2022
185 #iseeyousoonboi
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) June 25, 2022
You want to make it 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
