Gegard Mousasi vs. Johnny Eblen attach for Bellator 282 predominant match on June 24

Gegard Mousasi already had an opponent, now he has a time and space for his subsequent championship war.

Bellator announced Tuesday that the reigning middleweight champion — within the mean time No. 3 in MMA Combating’s World Rankings — will war Johnny Eblen within the principle match of Bellator 282 on June 24 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. A centered June date became first reported by Ariel Helwani.

This would possibly perhaps perchance be Mousasi’s fifth total middleweight title defense and the third of his 2nd title reign, which began when he defeated Douglas Lima for a vacant belt at Bellator 250 in October 2020. He has since recorded abet-to-abet defenses by TKO in opposition to Austin Vanderford and John Salter. Alongside with his most modern bear over Vanderford at Bellator 275 this previous February, the 19-365 days extinct improved his pro document to 49-7-2.

Eblen (11-0) is undefeated in seven appearances for Bellator. He went 3-0 in 2021 and in his most most modern outing at Bellator 276 on March 12, he defeated Salter by unanimous resolution.

A pair of Bellator Bantamweight World Nice Prix quarterfinal bouts are additionally scheduled for Bellator 282. Magomed Magomedov and Leandro Higo will compete, but sit down up for opponents from upcoming reserve bouts that happen at Bellator 278 on April 22.

Magomedov fights the winner of a reserve bout between Enrique Barzola and Josh Hill, while Higo fights the winner of a reserve bout between Jornel Lugo and Danny Sabatello.

Also reliable for Bellator 282, Alejandra Lara fights Ilara Joanne in a flyweight contenders’ bout.

Be taught regarding the up thus a ways lineup beneath:

Major Card (Showtime, 9 p.m. ET)

Gegard Mousasi vs. Johnny Eblen

Magomed Magomedov vs. Enrique Barzola/Josh Hill

Leandro Higo vs. Jornel Lugo/Danny Sabatello

Preliminaries (Showtime YouTube, 6 p.m. ET)

Alejandra Lara vs. Ilara Joanne